China becomes world's second-biggest economy

China has overtaken Japan to become the world's second-biggest economy.

At the end of 2010, Japan's economy was worth $5.474 trillion while China edged towards $5.8 trillion during the same period.

Analysts believe that based on current growth rates, China will replace the US as the world's biggest economy in about a decade. During 2010, Japan was hit by falling exports and consumer demand while China enjoyed a manufacturing boom.

Full details