New global top trader coming to stage

China set to surpass the US in total volume of imports, exports

Thanks to a recovery in the global economy and reform at home, 2013 is likely to see China replace the United States to become the world's largest trader, a Ministry of Commerce spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The primary force for trade improvement comes from the government's efforts at stabilizing the economy and boosting foreign trade with supportive measures," Shen Danyang said at an economic seminar in Beijing.