BEIJING, April 11: China’s textile exports soared 29 per cent in the first three months of the year, fueled by a steep hike in exports to the United States, government statistics showed on Monday. In a statement on its website, the Ministry of Commerce said US-bound textile exports jumped 258 per cent since the end of the global quota system on January 1.

It said exports of cotton trousers, cotton knit shirts and underwear, which are now the subject of a US investigation for possible market disruption, rose 1,574 per cent, 595 per cent and 742 per cent respectively in the January to February period.

It did not give a breakdown for the first quarter. Figures for the European Union and other export markets were not given. Full trade figures for the first three months are expected to be released this week.—AFP