German exports to China rose by 7% last year, official statistics showed today, bucking the trend in a dismal year for Europe's top economy, where overall exports slumped by 18%.
Goods 'made in Germany' exported to China - mainly machine tools, vehicles and spare parts - were valued at €36.5 billion in 2009, the national statistics office said.
The data came as a poll showed that an increasing number of German firms were intending to make investments abroad, especially in China.
More than a third (37%) of companies surveyed by the German Chambers of Commerce (DIHK) said they had plans to invest in China, up from 32% in 2009.
The willingness of German firms to invest abroad is growing as well, the survey showed, with 44% of the 9,000 companies asked saying they intend to make investments in foreign countries, up from 40% last year.
