China overtakes Germany as biggest exporter after December exports rise 17.7 percent

China overtakes Germany as biggest exporter

BEIJING — China has overtaken Germany as the world’s biggest exporter after December exports rose 17.7 percent despite weak global demand.

Chinese state media said Sunday the country’s total 2009 exports were $1.2 trillion.

That was just above the 816 billion euros ($1.17 trillion) in exports forecast last month by Germany’s national foreign trade association for 2009. Germany’s national chamber of commerce said earlier it was likely to lose its position as top exporter.

Chinese exports rose in December for the first time in 13 months, the official Xinhua News Agency and state television reported, citing customs data.