Asian countries' growth slows in 2012. China's external trade reached a new record in 2011. Despite uncertainties surrounding global demand, Chinese exports rose to $1,891 billion during the whole of the 2011 period, a 20.3% increase on the figure for 2010. Imports increased at a noticeably higher level of 25%, to the tune of $1,745 billion. Since it joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in December 2001, China has continued to win market share. In 2009, it took over from Germany as the...