China is poised to become the world's fourth largest trader, following US, Japan and Germany, the state media reported on Friday.

Export and import volumes of China have totalled about $800 billion since January, vice minister of commerce Wei Jianguo said.

At that rate, China's rank in the world trading community will rise to fourth by the end of the year, replacing France, he said.

The export boost is driven a sharp rise in the shipment of machinery and electronic items, which is likely to exceed $190 billion by year-end, Wei said.

Meanwhile, China's inflow of foreign direct investment remains robust. Total actual FDI was $43.56 billion in the January to October period, a rise of 5.81 per cent from a year earlier, China Daily reported.