By Richard Silk

BEIJING--China's trade surplus narrowed in December to $25.6 billion from $33.8 billion in November. That is below a median $32.2 billion forecast by 13 economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal.

Exports rose 4.3% on year in December, General Administration of Customs data showed on Friday. This was down from November's 12.7% rise and below the median forecast for a 4.5% expansion.

Imports rose 8.3% on year--up from a 5.3% rise in November and beating the economists' median forecast for a 5% increase.

Write to Richard Silk at richard.silk@wsj.com