Top 500 traders move US$604 billion

China's top 500 traders did US$604.8 billion worth of business last year, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce. They accounted for 42.6% of total imports and exports. Energy, machinery, electronics and high-tech companies ranked high on the top-500 list and made up the top 10. More than 95% of these traders are based in coastal cities with only 18 based in central or west China. Foreign-invested companies took a lead role, accounting for 60% of the top 500, while state-owned enterprises made up 28%. China is the third largest trader in the world with volumes of US$1.42 trillion in 2005, up 23.2% over 2004.