TAIPEI, Aug 7 (AP) -- Taiwan's exports rose 8.2 percent in July from the same month a year ago to US$21.19 billion (£á15.5 billion) on strong demand from China and Europe, the government said Tuesday.

The export performance reported by the Finance Ministry was better than the 5.92 percent increase forecast by eight economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires. It was down from June's rise of 11 percent.

Taiwan's imports rose 16.7 percent to US$20.73 billion (£á15 billion) in July from the same month last year, the Finance Ministry said.

The increase rate was higher than the survey's average forecast of 6.87 percent. Taiwan's imports rose 10.70 percent in June.

Taiwan's trade surplus for the month was US$450.6 million (£á330 million), the ministry said.