Dalian, Liaoning - The 18-month high trade surplus in July is a "unique" case and should not be used as an excuse to press China to revalue its currency, a senior government economist said on Sunday in Dalian, Liaoning province.

"The trade surplus will narrow, as exports are expected to slow down for the rest of the year," Wang Yiming, deputy director of the Institute of Macroeconomics at the National Development and Reform Commission, told China Daily on the sidelines of an economic seminar.

"The Western countries should not press for faster appreciation of the yuan based on the July trade figures," he said.