By Mark Magnier 

BEIJING--China's exports and trade surplus increased more than expected in March on improved global demand, underpinning expectations that next week's read on growth in the first quarter will show steady economic momentum.

Exports increased 16.4% in March from a year earlier reversing a 1.3% decline in February, while imports rose by 20.3% compared with February's 38.1% increase, the General Administration of Customs said Thursday. That combined into a March trade surplus of $23.93 billion, compared with February's $9.15 billion deficit.