In a positive sign for the world's second largest economy, trade performance blew past expectations in March. Exports returned to growth for the first time in 9 months.

China's exports surged 18.7% year-on-year in March to 1.05 trillion yuan. It's the first increase since June and the largest rise since February 2015.  Imports continued to fall but less than expected, 1.7 percent to 855.5 billion yuan.

The decline was led by sharp corrections in imports of tax-free foreign goods, rentals and leasing and imported equipment. As a result, the trade surplus in March leaped to 194.6 billion yuan, more than 10 times from a year ago. Here's the spokesman for the General Administration of Customs explaining the contributing factors.

"Exports this March have shown significant growth compared to the low base of last year.  A favorable policy environment is another reason for the export improvement," said Huang Songping, spokesman of General Administration of Customs.