'China will overtake US as world's largest economy'. (VIDEO)

Beijing's been rapidly growing over the last two decades - at a speed which has brought it close to the traditionally major economies - including the US and even allowed it to surpass Europe's powerhouse, Germany.

That's slowed down a bit recently but, China's still expected to overtake the US as the world's biggest economy in 2017.

The economic rivalry comes amid the battle for influence in Asia between the two.