China's export growth picked up steam in December, while imports recovered, closing out the year on a positive note as the world's second-largest economy braces for mounting trade risks with the incoming U.

Economists are expecting exports to make a notable boost to China's economic growth last year when the figures are released later this week.

China’s trade figures for December have revealed surprising growth, with both exports and imports exceeding analysts’ forecasts. In a month marked by heightened trade tensions and anticipation of new tariffs under U.