China has just edged past Germany to become the world's biggest exporter.

Chinese state media reports the country's total exports for 2009 were worth just over $1 trillion.

China's new status is mostly symbolic. But the shift of power from West to East does secure China's role as a key investor and important voice in the global economy.

The country's ability to beat longtime export leader Germany shows the ability of low-cost Chinese manufacturers to keep selling overseas even as other exporter have been affected by a clump in global demand.

China may soon unseat Japan as the world's second largest economy this year behind the U.S.