It is also the official partner of the New York Knicks basketball team and New York Rangers ice hockey team.

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In a move to enhance its image among sports fans in China, Wahaha in January said it would become the official beverage partner of the Manchester United soccer team in the country.

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But in 2010 alone, China's trade with Africa expanded by more than 43%, according to official Chinese trade data, and it replaced the U.S. as Africa's largest trade partner.

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