The figures were released as chancellor Gordon Brown (pictured) made a speech on globalisation at the Confederation of Business Industry (CBI) presidents dinner, in which he commented on the "biggest shift of economic power to Asia for centuries".

The value of exported print products for 2005 has fallen by 1.3% to 2.4bn, the first drop recorded since 2001, although the trade balance remains positive at 542.9m.

The decline in exports was largely the result of a 23.2% fall in the value of magazines, partially offset by an 8.6% jump in the export of books, brochures and leaflets.

China is now the fourth largest provider of imported print products to the UK, while Hong Kong is the third, but USA and Germany are still significantly ahead.

The UK now imports 1.9bn worth of printed products, compared with 1.56bn in 2000 and an increase of 2.4% (44.3m) since 2004.

During his speech to the CBI, Brown said that "embracing globalisation, not retreating into protectionism, is the best way to growth, jobs and prosperity".

"Because we are competing on the basis of the value we can add because of our innovation, creative talents and skills, we must show the British people that globalisation will work best for us when open markets, free trade and labour flexibility are matched by investment in innovation," he said.

BPIF members can access full trade statistics at www.printdata.org.uk