For the first time ever, China's annual machinery exports to Russia exceeded those of Germany, fresh 2016 figures from Germany's Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) revealed Tuesday.

It reported that China delivered machinery worth 4.9 billion euros ($5.2 billion) to Russia last year, compared with orders from Germany totaling 4.4 billion euros.

The trend reversal had been expected following EU economic sanctions imposed against Russia over its perceived role in the Ukraine conflict and the annexation of Crimea.

"Chinese suppliers are clearly at an advantage at the moment," VDMA's Monika Hollacher said in a statement. "They don't have to grapple with any sanctions and, when needed, provide their own financing offers to boot."

Mixed picture

Overall, China exported machinery worth 132.2 billion euros in 2016, marking a 3.9-percent rise year on year in unadjusted currency terms.

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Shipments to EU nations picked up by 0.4 percent, the VDMA group said, while the picture was largely negative with regard to major emerging economies. Chinese exports of machinery to Brazil plummeted by 31 percent last year, while shipments to Saudi Arabia decreased by 27.4 percent.

By contrast, annual exports to Russia were up a staggering 70.3 percent, suggesting that Chinese manufacturers made the best of an unexpected market niche following the West's sanctions.

It's worth noting, though, that the steep jump last year came on the back of a marked 23-percent dip in 2015.

hg/mds (dpa, VDMA)