China publicly denies status as world's biggest trader
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A crane loads containers at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province on Jan 10, 2013. China's government has taken the unusual step of publicly denying it passed the United States last year as the world's biggest trader - a politically sensitive status. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING (AP) - China's government has taken the unusual step of publicly denying it passed the United States last year as the world's biggest trader - a politically sensitive status.
Trade data from both governments indicate China passed the United States last year in total imports and exports by a margin of US$3.866 trillion (S$4.78 trillion) to $3.822 trillion, or about $44 billion.
China's Commerce Ministry issued a statement Tuesday denying that.
It said China still lagged by $15.6 billion last year under World Trade Organisation standards for valuing goods.
