China is expected to overtake Japan as the third-largest export market for the US at the end of this year or early next year, according to senior Chinese trade officials.

Canada is the biggest export market for the US while Mexico is the second largest.

China has been the fastest-growing export destination of the United States for five years in a row, with an annual growth rate of 24 percent, Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng said yesterday.