CHINA continued to widen its lead as the top trading partner for two major United States ports last year, according to a study released on Tuesday.

Japan was the second trade partner of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California, followed by South Korea, according to the study entitled "International Trade Trends and Impacts." The twin ports rank fifth globally in container activity. They are expected to handle 17.2 million containers by the end of 2007, a projected 9.2 percent increase from last year, said Jack Kyser, chief economist of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.