BEIJING — China maintained a basic balance in its international payments in the first three quarters of this year, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said on Nov 5.

The country reported a current account surplus of $202.8 billion in the first nine months, accounting for 1.6 percent of its gross domestic product during the period, data from the administration shows.

During the January-September period, trade in goods posted a surplus of $379.6 billion, up 16 percent year-on-year. Goods exports and imports respectively rose 31 percent and 34 percent year-on-year.

Trade in services saw a deficit of $82.1 billion, down 30 percent year-on-year.

The administration also noted that the country saw a relatively high foreign direct investment inflow in the period, while outbound direct investment remained stable.