China's economy grew 10.7 per cent in 2006, its fastest rate since 1995, as investment and exports expanded despite curbs by the government to keep the pace of growth in check.

China's GDP now totals $2.7 trillion, translating in to a per head income of $2,000 for its 1.3 billion citizens.

The 10.7 per cent GDP was higher than the National Bureau of Statistics preliminary estimates of 10.5 per cent. It was up from 10.4 per cent in 2005 and was the country's best since 10.9 per cent in 1995.

The growth was 0.3 percentage point higher than that in 2005. Its quarter to quarter growth in 2006, was 10.4 per cent, 11.5 per cent, 10.6 per cent and 10.4 per cent.

The National Bureau of Statistics said GDP between October and December rose 10.4 per cent from a year earlier, slowing a bit from an upwardly revised 10.6 per cent pace in the third quarter.

China has almost doubled its national output in five years, ever since its accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2001.

Capital spending has been fueling the country's boom, with money pouring into the economy from China's trade surplus, which rose to a record $177.47 billion - a 74 per cent increase.