Chinas trade surplus with the European Union soared 31 per cent last year, state media reported Sunday, citing government figures. China posted a trade surplus with the EU of 91.7 billion dollars in 2006, compared with 70.1 billion dollars the year before, the Xinhua news agency said, quoting ministry of commerce data.

The bloc remained Chinas top trading partner last year, accounting for 15.5 per cent of the Asian nations commerce with the outside world. Chinas exports to the EU reached 182 billion dollars in 2006, a rise of 26.6 per cent from 2005, while imports went up by 22.7 per cent yearon year to hit 90.3 billion dollars.