BEIJING, March 7 (Reuters) - China's exports and imports
with Russia surged at a double-digit pace in January-February
from a year earlier, customs data showed on Tuesday, as China
said it had to advance relations with its northern neighbour in
an increasingly turbulent world.
China's exports to Russia jumped 19.8% in the first two
months, to a total of $15 billion, while it recorded shrinking
demand from markets elsewhere. Imports from Russia soared by
31.3% to $18.65 billion.
That left the world's second-biggest economy's trade deficit
with Russia at about $3.6 billion.
China's seaborne imports of Russian oil are set to hit a
record this month after refiners took advantage of cheap prices
as domestic fuel demand rebounded following the lifting of
COVID-19 curbs, Reuters reported last week.
Foreign Minister Qin Gang told a news conference on the
sidelines of an annual parliamentary session in Beijing on
Tuesday that China had to advance its relations with Russia as
the world becomes more turbulent.
Asked whether it was possible that China and Russia would
abandon the U.S. dollar and euro for bilateral trade, Qin said
that countries should use whatever currency was efficient, safe
and credible.
"Currencies should not be the trump card for unilateral
sanctions, still less a disguise for bullying or coercion," he
said.
China's trade with Russia hit a record high in 2022 as
Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion
of Ukraine.
(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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