China's exports denominated in yuan rose 1.2 percent in May from the same period a year earlier, said the General Administration of Customs on Wednesday.

The country's yuan-denominated imports rose 5.1 percent, producing a trade surplus of 324.77 billion yuan for the month. Meanwhile, on a dollar-denominated basis, China's May exports fell by a more-than-expected 4.1 percent from a year earlier, while imports slipped by 0.4 percent -- much less than expected.

That left the country with a trade surplus of 49.98 billion US dollars for the month. Analysts say the country's imports are likely helped by higher commodity prices and better domestic investment in the foreseeable future.