BEIJING -- China's total goods imports and exports expanded 6.3 percent year-on-year in yuan terms in the first five months of this year, official data showed Friday.

The country's exports rose 6.1 percent year-on-year in the January-May period, while imports climbed 6.4 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs.

From January to May, the country's foreign trade in goods stood at 17.5 trillion yuan (about $2.46 trillion). Exports reached 9.95 trillion yuan, while imports hit 7.55 trillion yuan.

In May alone, the foreign trade grew 8.6 percent to 3.71 trillion yuan.