China’s 2010 trade surplus fell almost 7 percent to USD183.1 billion, marking the third year in a row that the surplus has fallen as a share of GDP, the New York Times reported. The figures, released Monday by the country’s customs bureau, suggest that China’s economy is becoming less dependent on exports. But analysts said that the 41 percent jump in imports may reflect higher prices for commodities and not necessarily greater domestic consumption. Exports rose 32 percent in 2010 to reach record levels, despite a government decision in June to let the Chinese currency, the renminbi, to appreciate slowly. The renminbi strengthened by 3 percent against the dollar in 2010. China’s trade surplus with the US amounted to USD181 billion last year, USD2 billion less than the mainland’s trade surplus with all its other trading partners, according to Moody’s Analytics.

China’s economic growth will slow in 2011 due to rising commodity prices and a strengthening exchange rate, a prominent Chinese think tank said. The mainland’s gross domestic product will grow about 9.5 percent this year, a researcher at the State Information Center wrote in an article that ran in state media on Monday. The State Information Center is the think tank of the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planning body. The think tank estimated that the consumer price index could be kept at about 4 percent growth in 2011, despite rising labor costs and monetary stimulus measures in developed countries that will essentially import inflation to China. The government full year target for inflation is 4 percent. Retail sales will slow to 14 percent growth in 2011.

South Korean shares closed lower on Monday as investors took profits from large-cap technology stocks. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped by 0.3 percent, or 5.39 points, to 2080.81. Samsung Electronics dropped 0.4 percent to KRW917,000. The stock has fallen 4.3 percent in four sessions since last Wednesday, though this comes after a 15 percent gain in December. Portfolio Holding LG Display fell 1.9 percent to KRW38,850. Automakers fared better as investors held out hopes for expanding global sales this year. Hyundai Motor was flat at KRW198,000 while Kia Motors gained 2.4 percent to 59,700.