German exports to China grew 7% in 2009 as total exports fell 18.4%, according to the federal statistics office, Destatis. Based on provisional data, Germany exported commodities to the value of €36.5 billion to the People’s Republic of China in 2009.

A survey published Monday by Germany's Chambers of Commerce (DIHK) also showed a rise in the number of German companies planning to invest in China. According to the survey 37% of companies said they had plans to invest in China, up from 32% last year. The willingness of German firms to invest abroad is also on the rise with 44% of the 9,000 companies in the survey saying they intended to make investments in foreign countries, compared with 40% in 2009.

German merchandise exports were valued at €803.2bn in 2009 and  imported commodities were valued at €667.1 billion in 2009. German exports in 2009 were 18.4% and imports 17.2% below the respective 2008 levels.

This was the highest decline recorded in foreign trade in relation to both imports and exports since 1950 and in 2009, China becoming the world's top exporter. Exports were up 3.0% in December, compared with the previous month.

Destatis, said as regards the world’s top exporting nations, Germany as the largest exporter was overtaken by China in 2009. According to information from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Chinese exports amounted to US $1,201.7bn, while German exports totalled US $1,121.3bn in the year. The foreign trade balance showed a surplus of €136.1bn in 2009. In 2008, the foreign trade balance showed a surplus of €178.3bn.

The key German exports to China included machinery along with vehicles and car parts.