BERLIN (AP) -- German data show that the country's exports to China rose by 7 percent last year despite an overall decline that saw it lose its status as the world's biggest exporter to the rising Asian power.
The Federal Statistical Office said Monday Germany exported goods worth euro36.5 billion ($49.4 billion) to China in 2009.
The rise contrasted with a 17.9 percent overall decline in exports from Europe's biggest economy, which totaled euro808.2 billion -- about $1.1 trillion. China has reported 2009 exports of more than $1.2 trillion.
The statistical office said the most popular German export to China last year was machines -- up 4.3 percent to euro11 billion.
In second place were vehicles and vehicle parts -- exports of which soared 18 percent to reach euro6.4 billion.
