BEIJING — Already the biggest auto market and steel maker, China edged past Germany in 2009 to become the top exporter, yet another sign of its rapid rise and the spread of economic power from West to East.

Total 2009 exports were more than $1.2 trillion, China's customs agency said yesterday. That was ahead of the $1.17 trillion forecast for Germany by its foreign trade organization, BGA.

China's new status is mostly symbolic but highlights its growing presence as an industrial power, major buyer of oil, iron ore and other commodities, and as an investor and key voice in managing the global economy.

QATAR SEEKING TO DEVELOP 'BIO JET FUEL'

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Qatar Airways and other state companies in the tiny energy-rich Gulf nation say they are targeting the development of alternative jet fuel. The airline said yesterday it will work with Qatar Petroleum, the Qatar Science & Technology Park and plane maker Airbus to study biofuel strategies with the aim of producing "sustainable bio jet fuel" that could initially be used by the national airline.

The companies did not provide a timeframe or details of their financial commitment to the project. Qatar Airways announced in October it had operated the world's first commercial flight using fuel made from natural gas.

RULE ON TARDINESS MAY AFFECT A FEW AIRLINES

ATLANTA — The government's new crackdown on chronically late flights leaves airlines with little reason to be concerned — and delayed travelers little reason to feel hopeful they'll arrive on time.

The rule, announced days before the Christmas travel rush, defines chronic tardiness so narrowly that it would have applied to only 55 recurring flights out of the 13,981 that qualified from January to November, according to an analysis by the aviation data research firm FlightCaster for The Associated Press. All 55 flights were to or from the New York City area's three airports.