BEIJING - Even as the prolonged debt crises in the US and Europe bring the prospect of an economic slowdown, Chinese imports may well turn out to be the beacon that guides global economies out of the financial maelstrom.

Not surprisingly it was Chinese imports that proved the savior in 2009, when strong demand for machinery, chemicals, minerals and steel helped developed economies survive the crisis.

This time around too, the world's second-largest economy is expected to continue its global shoppim ng spree to satiate burgeoning domestic demand, even as the fear of a double-dip recession grows in the West.