China’s exports rose at their fastest in 15 months in June, customs data showed Friday, while imports declined.

Outbound shipments from the world's second-biggest economy grew 8.6 percent year-on-year in value last month.

That marked a third consecutive rise after a year-on-year decline in March.

Exports rose 6.9 percent in the first six months of the year.

Imports, however, hit a four-month low in June, shrinking 2.3 percent compared with a 1.8 percent rise the month before.

"This reflects the economic condition in China, with weak domestic demand and strong production capacity relying on exports," Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, said in a note.

China’s trade surplus last month reached US$99 billion, up from US$82.6 billion in May. (Agencies)