Economy could be world's fourth largest

China's economy grew 9.9% in 2005 which means it could now be the fourth-biggest in the world, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The country's gross domestic product of US$2.26 trillion means it has probably moved past the UK and France, and is closing in on the US, Japan and Germany which currently occupy the first three places. Given that growth in 2004 was 10.1% upgraded from 9.5% following the December GDP recalculation the country's economy is showing little sign of a slowdown despite government efforts to curb overinvestment in certain sectors.