Renminbi realignment

China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 8.7% last year at a time when many major economies struggled to grow at all. During 2009, total exports hit $1.2 trillion, meaning the country overtook Germany to become the world’s largest exporter. And China now has a total trade surplus at $196.1 billion.

China’s influence in Asian intra-regional trade is growing fast and its role may become greater still following the signing of a deal with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations