On road to trade excellence

China's rise as a strong trading nation will not only help it meet its domestic economic goals, but also deepen its ties with the world

The year 2013 was special for China, for it saw a new leadership take office, the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issue an extensive reform plan, and China become the largest trading nation.

The combined value of China's exports and imports last year was $4.16 trillion, up 7.6 percent year-on-year subject to an adjusted yuan, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Jan 10.