The trade volume of the Chinese mainland hit a record high of $4.16 trillion in 2013, overtaking the United States, $3.91 trillion, to become the world's largest trading nation. The fastest-growing economy in the globe added another feather in its cap by posting better-than-expected trade volume in January, 2014.

That's big news, especially for an economy that's showing signs of slowing down. Now, you may wonder which economies are the biggest trading partners of the Chinese mainland.

So, here are the top 10 trading partners of the Chinese mainland, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Jan 10, 2014. The ranking is based on total trade (imports plus exports) with the Chinese mainland in the past year.

No 1 The United States: $521 billion

The Capitol Hill is pictured on July 2, 2011, the United States. [Photo / dfic.cn]

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