Trade surplus up nine fold

China's trade surplus increased nine fold to US$67.3 billion in the first half from US$7.5 billion year on year, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, AP reported. The news comes after US Trade Secretary John Snow visited China to discuss trade imbalances and Beijing's refusal to float the yuan to market levels. Economists cited by the Wall Street Journal, doubted the news would increase upward pressure on the yuan