China reports sharp widening of trade surplus in October CHINA'S trade surplus widened sharply in October to $US31.1 billion from $US15.2 billion in September and surpassed a median $US23.9 billion forecast by 13 economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal. Exports rose 5.6 per cent on year in October, data from the General Administration of Customs showed today. This was a marked improvement over September's 0.3 per cent decline and above economists' median forecast of a 1.5 per cent expansion.