BEIJING – China's foreign trade in yuan-denominated terms grew 16.9 percent year-on-year in May, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.

The total value of goods imports and exports reached 4.45 trillion yuan (about $653 billion) last month, remaining above 4 trillion yuan for three consecutive months, the data showed. Exports rose 13.8 percent from the same period last year, while imports increased 21.5 percent.

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In the first five months of the year, total foreign trade amounted to 20.68 trillion yuan, up 15.3 percent year-on-year.