China's monthly trade surplus hit a record $60.6bn (£40.3bn) in February, as exports grew and imports slid back.
Exports were up 48.3% year on year to $169.2bn, and imports dropped by a fifth to $108.6bn, said the country's General Administration of Customs.
The growth in exports was well ahead of analyst expectations.
China's economy grew by 7.4% in 2014, its weakest for almost a quarter of a century, and recent indicators show signs the slowdown is continuing.