China said Thursday it had returned to a trade deficit in February for the first time in nearly a year, in line with efforts to wean the world's number two economy off its reliance on exports.

The trade deficit of $7.3 billion -- the country's first since March 2010 -- compared with a surplus of $6.45 billion in January, and a surplus of $7.61 billion in February last year, customs authorities said in a statement.

Customs blamed a sharp slowdown in exports on the Lunar New Year holiday which this year was celebrated at the beginning of February.

Analysts had expected a surplus of $3.9 billion, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Exports rose just 2.4 per cent from a year earlier to $96.74 billion, compared with a rise of 37.7 per cent in January, and imports gained 19.4 per cent to $104.04 billion, compared with a 51 per cent increase in the previous month.

Analysts said exports and imports typically see strong growth ahead of the festive season when factories crank up production to meet demand, and then slow in the following month.

Commerce Minister Chen Deming warned this week China could return to a trade deficit this year, noting "many international uncertainties" could hurt demand for exports.

"This year imports will grow at a rapid pace -- faster than that of exports," Chen told reporters earlier this week on the sidelines of the country's annual parliamentary session.

channelnewsasia.com