Business Briefs

Chinas trade surplus is likely tofall noticeably in 2010 given a lessthan-optimistic outlook for exportscombined with the probabilitythat imports are likely to remainrobust, according to a spokesmanfrom the Ministry of Commerce.According to the source, Chinasexport growth will slow down afterJuly, despite a record high in Maycaused by a low comparison basisa year earlier. Chinas trade surplusin the first five months fell 59.9percent to $35.39 billion. The figurein 2009 topped $196.07 billion,down 34.2 percent on 2008.