Exports in September rose 9.9 per cent from a year earlier, customs data showed on Tuesday, broadly in line with analysts' expectations and up from a solid 9.5 per cent increase in August.

The strong trade performance suggests Chinese exporters are making a brisk recovery from the pandemic's hit to overseas orders. As the global economy restarts, Chinese firms are rushing to grab market share as their rivals grapple with reduced manufacturing capacity.

"The big picture is that outbound shipments remain strong, with easing demand for COVID-19-related goods such as face masks being mostly offset by a recovery in broader demand for Chinese-made consumer goods," Capital Economics senior China economist Julian Evans-Pritchard said.

"A jump in imports suggests that domestic investment spending remains strong."

China's factory activity has also picked up as international trading gradually resumes.

But some analysts warn exports could peak soon as the demand for Chinese-made protective gear recedes and the base effect of this year's massive declines wears off.

Imports surged 13.2 per cent in September, returning to growth from a fall of 2.1 per cent in August and much stronger than expectations for a 0.3 per cent increase.

The rise in imports pushed the trade surplus for September down to $US37 billion, compared with $US58.93 billion in August and lower than an expected $US58.00 billion.

Across products, China bought more soybeans, grains, semiconductors, copper and steel products in September. Analysts expect imports to stay on an improving trend, underpinned by strengthening domestic demand.

Zhang Jun, chief economist at Morgan Stanley Huaxin Securities, said higher purchases of US agricultural and energy products as China implemented the Phase 1 US-China trade deal, and the resumption of logistics services in the United States and Europe, contributed to China's import strength.

Australian Associated Press