China's total imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms increased 3.5 percent year on year in August, marking the third consecutive month that both exports and imports achieved simultaneous growth, official data showed Monday.

Breaking it down by exports alone, goods exported reached US$321.8 billion in August, a 4.4 percent increase compared with the same month last year.

Meanwhile, imports totalled US$219.5 billion, growing 1.3 percent year-on-year in August.

However, the pace of growth in both exports and imports was lower than analysts' expectations and lower than the numbers recorded in July.

US President Donald Trump's trade policy - marked by multiple rounds of tit-for-tat tariff hikes and other forms of restrictions - has produced headwinds for Beijing policymakers and negotiators looking to conclude a deal.

The world's two largest economies agreed on August 11 to extend their tariff truce for another 90 days, locking in place US levies of 30 percent on Chinese imports and 10 percent Chinese duties on American goods, but they appear to be struggling to chart a path beyond the current pause. (Xinhua/Agencies)