(Yicai Global) Jan. 14 -- China's total foreign trade volume of USD4.62 trillion last year set a record. Imports topped USD2 trillion for the first time, while exports nudged USD2.5 trillion.

The outflow of products and services rose nearly 10 percent annually to  $2.48 trillion, the slowest growth rate since 2011, data China's General Administration of Customs released today show.

The country brought in USD2.14 trillion worth of foreign goods, up by almost 16 percent.

China realized a trade surplus of USD352 billion in a drop of 16.2 percent, its lowest reading since 2013.

Its total foreign trade import and export value was USD4.62 trillion, an increase of almost 13 percent.

Editor: Ben Armour