China has become the world’s largest exporter. Around USD 1.2 trillion in wares left its shores in 2009 for trade around the world. Sure, that is a large number but so what? The 'so what' is that every citizen on the planet, on average, received around USD 200 in new belongings last year courtesy of Chinese manufacturers. Chances are that the fixtures of your everyday life—the upholstery of your furniture, the stitching in your clothing and the electronic components within your appliances—were assembled by Chinese hands.

How much Chinese trade impacts your life largely depends on where you live. A diverse set comprises the nearly 40 nations which exceed the USD 200 per capita average. Those countries whose citizens receive the most from China may surprise you.

Number one on the list, Singapore, may not. The average Singaporean brought in USD 6,674 from China in 2008. Proximity and cultural similarities have made China and Singapore exceptional trade partners.

Then, there is the United States, which runs a perpetual trade deficit with China, prompting complaints about an undervalued yuan and spawning a host of protectionist disputes. However, it is the United Arab Emirates who takes the number two spot. The US is not even in the top ten. China’s exports to the UAE, per capita, equaled USD 4,942; the US, a mere USD 830 (actually putting it in 11th place).

Although heydays of the Silk Road have long since ended, Europeans still manage to acquire a fair share of products from China. The Netherlands is ranked third, receiving USD 2,798 per head from its Far Eastern counterpart, while Belgium, Finland and Denmark rank sixth, seventh and ninth, respectively.

Given its relatively small GDP, trade with China no doubt has the greatest per capita impact on number four: Kyrgyzstan. USD 1,745 for each Kyrgyzstani found its way across China’s western border to this Central Asian nation in 2008.

In Africa, it is not industrialised South Africa which takes in the most Chinese goods and services per head, it is Liberia, at USD 465 (ranked 25th)—just behind Switzerland. Further back is the first South American country, Chile, ranked 31st with USD 367 per capita.

Unfortunately, data for Antarctica is unavailable, but given the broad scope of Chinese export activity, it may be inferred that a few ‘Made in China’ labels can be found there too. After all, even in remote, sparsely populated Greenland each citizen receives USD 25 worth from China.

So, as the world’s predominant exporter, Chinese producers are impacting individuals in every corner of the globe. Look around you and see for yourself.

Top 10 per Capita Recipients of Chinese Exports (USD)

1. Singapore: 6,674
2. United Arab Emirates: 4,942
3. Netherlands: 2,798
4. Kyrgyzstan: 1,745
5. South Korea: 1,521
6. Belgium: 1,393
7. Finland: 1,383
8. Australia: 1,038
9. Denmark: 1,017
10. Japan: 922

Source: China Commerce Yearbook 2009; UN Population Division