China remained the United States' third largest export market, totalling nearly 109 billion dollars in 2012, the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) said Thursday.

"U.S. exports to China remain a bright spot for many U.S. companies, particularly with European demand weakening. Although China's economic growth also slowed last year, growth in U.S. exports to China still expanded 6.5 percent, representing an increase of 6.6 billion dollars," USCBC president John Frisbie said.

He said the U.S.-China trade relationship strengthened America's economy and created well-paying jobs for many American workers.

"As its economy and middle class expands, China will continue to play a significant role as an export market for a wide selection of U.S. goods," he said.

The USCBC is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing roughly 220 American companies that do business with China.