HONG KONG (AP) — China says export growth edged higher in June while imports rebounded, but remained below analyst expectations, highlighting an uneven recovery for the world’s second biggest economy.

The customs department said Thursday that exports rose 7.2 percent in dollar terms from a year earlier, up slightly from May’s 7 percent growth.

Imports grew 5.5 percent last month after shrinking 1.6 percent in May, according to the data from the General Administration of Customs.

China’s authorities have unleashed mini-stimulus measures to boost growth, which slowed to 7.4 percent in the first quarter. But analysts expect the economy to slow as the impact fades.

Exports for June totaled $186.8 billion while imports were $155.2 billion, resulting in a $31.6 billion trade surplus.

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