The increases demonstrate that global demand for Chinese goods remains strong, even though many Western markets are battling the fallout of a worldwide financial crisis. Indeed, the export statistics are serving as evidence of an economic theory known as “decoupling,” in which emerging economies in Asia and Europe have developed enough market place muscle to no longer be dependent on the U.S. economy for growth.

And “decoupled” markets can survive - and even thrive - even if the United States were to spiral down into a recession.