CHINA's exports grew 48.3 per cent in February year-on-year reversing a January decline of 3.3 per cent, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing customs data.

But imports slid 20.5 per cent for the same period, the fourth consecutive month of lower year-on-year imports, partly due to the sharp fall in prices for oil and metals.

Analysts also cautioned that the February trade figures were distorted by numerous factors including the timing of Chinese New Year and a crackdown this time last year on export fraud.

The top seven coastal ports posted rising throughputs as the most shipments exported for Chinese New Year were delayed to early February, according to Citi Research data. Domestic volumes fell 6.3 per cent to 1.43 million TEU.

But analysts warned in a note to customers that although combined January-February foreign throughput for China's top seven ports was better than expected, that growth would slow in March.