China’s economy continues to soar

China’s economy maintained its stellar growth last year, official figures have confirmed, expanding 9.9% in 2005.

Growth has now been about 10% for three consecutive years and the economy shows no signs of slowing despite government efforts to restrain it.
Total economic output rose to 18.2 trillion yuan ($2.25 trillion) as soaring exports fuelled the country’s growing trade surplus.

Experts said China may now be the world’s fourth-largest economy.