China imported 221,000 tons of cotton in February, 137.6% more than in the same month of last year, according to a statement released by the National Development and Reform Commission.

In January this year, the country's cotton imports surged 286% year on year to 301,359 tons.

Total cotton imports in the first two months of this year were 520,000 tons, up 208% from the same period of last year.

The NDRC attributed the surge in cotton imports largely to the recovery of Chinese textile enterprises supported by a pick-up in export demand.

China's yarn output rose 10.1% year on year to 1.63 million tons in February, while its exports of garments and textile products soared 89.3% from a year ago to US$12.64 billion in the month.