Textile exports grow faster, clothing exports slower (Xinhua) China saw quicker growth in textile exports but slower rise in foreign sales of garments in the first five months of this year, sources with the General Administration of Customs said on Saturday. Between January and May, China exported $66.16 billion worth of textiles and garments, a growth of 15.4 percent on the same period of last year. The total included $26.07 billion worth of textile products, up 26.3 percent, and $40.09 billion worth of garments and accessories, up 9.3 percent. The growth rate for textile exports was higher than the level for the whole of last year, whereas that for garments was nine percentage points lower than the year-earlier level. In May alone, the nation's garment exports increased by a record-low rate of 1.08 percent to $8.59 billion worth. Industry insiders accredited the substantial slowdown to weak demand abroad, expediated appreciation of Chinese currency and higher production cost. They added that the weak demand had affected cotton sector in China. The country imported 240,200 tons of cotton in May, a decrease of 23,200 tons, or 8.81 percent, from the previous months.