II.Contract Labor Cooperation The business of contract project and labor cooperation in Burma initiated since 1982. In the recent years, with the development of friendly bilateral relationship between the two nations, the business spreads smoothly. Till the end of 1999, the accumulative number of contracts and labor agreements that Chinese companies have signed in Burma reached 507, with a total contract value of 1.412 billion USD, turnover 597 million USD. Most of them are engineering contracts (314), contract value totaling 1.338 billion USD, turnover 574 million USD. Another big part is labor contracts (160), contract value totaling 54 million USD, turnover 17 million USD. Sino-North Korean Economic and Trade Brief   I. Trade Sino- North Korean initiated in 1950. From then on till 1991, the trading method had been mainly governmental account bartering. It is not until the two nations entered into new trade agreement in 1992, the governmental account bartering trade¡¡had been abolished. In the recent years, the bilateral trade has seen a continuous sliding from the highest point of 899 million USD in 1993 to 370 million USD in 1999. Since the beginning of this year, the bilateral trade has seen a little climb-up. Total export and import volume from January to April is 95.45 million USD, a comparatively increasing of 2.3%, among which China exports 86.39 million USD (comparatively increasing of 4.6%) and imports 9.06 million USD (comparatively drop of 15.4%) II. Exportation and Importation Commodity Structure It has been for years that Sino-North Korean commodity concentrates on fuel, raw materials and productive materials. In the recent years, due to economic difficulty, North Korea has a seriously shortage of energy and food, therefore, the importation from China is mainly energy and food. In 1999, the major commodities that China exported to North Korea, value exceeding 10 million USD are mainly machinery and electric products, crude oil, finished oil products, rice, coal, corn, textile silk and fabric, steel, grist and grist powder, and etc. Commodities that China imported from North Korea, value exceeding 1 million USD includes log, billet and rough-forged steel, scrap steel, finished oil products and frozen fish, and etc. III. Mutual Benefit and Cooperation By the end of 1999, Chinese invested companies in North Korea approved by or registered in Foreign Economic and Trade Department has reached a number of 13 (North Korean statistics shows more than 60). Total Chinese investment is 2.272 million USD. Major investing area focus on service business such as restaurants and stores, as well as production industry such as mineral water, aquiculture, light industry¡¡and etc. Chinese investment is mainly in form of equipment, material and technique, with relatively smaller size. Investment return is not as ideal. Currently, only stores and restaurants achieve a little better profit. By the end of 1999, the accumulative Chinese labor contract value in North Korea is 98.71 million USD, turnover 32.41 million USD, assigning headcount 4449. In the year 1999, the newly signed labor contract value in North Korea is 8.17 million USD, turnover 13.49 million USD., headcount 1245. By the end of December, the number of Chinese labor in North Korea is 1166. Economic relationship between China and Brunei I. Bilateral Trade Currently, Sino-Brunei trade is mainly the third nation¡¡transit trade, with a relatively low trade volume. The bilateral trade volume of 1996 once reached 38.88 million USD, but the number dropped dramatically in the recent two years due to an impact of financial crisis. The bilateral trade volume of 1999 is 8.1 million USD, declining 11.5% comparing to that of last year, and the volume as a whole is the exportation from China, while the importation from Brunei is zero. The major commodity China exports to Brunei includes cement, furniture and textile products. II. Economic Cooperation In the recent years, Chinese contract labor cooperation enters into in Brunei. By the end of 1999, counter-signed labor contracts has reached a number of 21, contract value 97.89 USD, turnover 93.84 USD. In the year 1999, there is one newly signed labor contract in Brunei, contract value 200 thousands USD, turnover 17.20 million USD. III. Brunei Investment in China In the recent years, Brunei investment also enters into China, but with small size. By the end of 1999, the number of Brunei's accumulative investment projects in China reaches¡¡14, agreement investing amount 34.61 USD, actual investment 3.98 million USD. Economic and Trade Relationship between China and Philippines I. Bilateral Trade In the year 1999, the total trade volume between China and Philippines is 2.287 billion USD, an increase of 14.35% comparing to the last year. Chines exportation to Philippines accounts for 1.379 billion USD, importation from Philippines 908 million USD, respectively, a drop of 8.1% and an increase of 77.3% comparing to the last year. The trade deficit condition of Philippines is greatly improved. II. Contract Labor Till the end of 1999, China has signed in Philippines a total of 369 contracts, with a contract value of approximately 1.052 billion USD, turnover 481 million USD. In the year 1999, China has counter-signed 42 contract agreements, a decline of 31.15% comparing to the first half of the year. The contract value reaches 54.44 million USD, a little climb of 1.51% from the first half, turnover 58.76 million USD, declining 45.27%. III. Two-way Investment From 1979 to the end of 1999, the accumulative number of investment projects China has approved to Philippines reaches 1244, contract value 2.214 billion USD. The actual utilization of foreign investment is 960 million USD. of which direct investment from Philippines to China in 1999 is 99, an increase of 16% comparing to last year. Contractual foreign investment amount reaches 184 million USD, comparative increase 26%. The actual utilization of foreign investment is 117 million USD, comparative drop 10%. By the end of 1999, Chinese invested companies in Philippines approved by or registered in Foreign Economic and Trade Department has reached a number of¡¡31, agreement investment totaling 26.877 million USD, of which Chinese investment accounts for 11.03 million USD. Economic and Trade Relationship between China and Indonesia   I. Bilateral Trade Due to the impact of financial crisis on South-east Asia, the bilateral trade volume between China and Indonesia¡¡has seen a sharp dropdown by 20 points, which is even lower than the level of 1996. Indonesia's ranking in China's trade partner list also declined by two from the 16th of 1997 to 14th, which ranks the third among Eastern Union nations. In 1999, the bilateral trade sees a large drawback, with an annual export and import volume of 4.83 billion USD, increasing by 33%, of which, China exportation accounts for 1.78 billion USD, importation 3.05 billion USD, a respective increase of 52% and 24%. II. Indonesian Investment in China By the end of 1999, the number of Indonesian investment¡¡projects that has been approved to enter into China reaches 700, agreement investing value 1.501 billion USD, actual investment 688 million USD. In the year 1999, Indonesian investment to China shows a large-scale recovering increase. In the year, the newly approved Indonesian investment projects to China reaches 54, increasing by 26 points comparing to last year; contractual foreign investment value 96.20 million USD, actual investment amount 129.17 million USD, increasing respectively 21.7% and 93%. III. Contract Projects and Labor Cooperation By the end of 1999, the number of contractual labor agreement Chinese companies has signed with Indonesian sides is 595, contract value totaling 660.01 million USD, turnover 389.43 million USD. In the year 1999, the number of newly signed Chinese contractual labor agreement in Indonesia has reached 90, contract value totaling 71.94 million USD, turnover 54.9 million USD, increasing respectively 67% and 22% comparing to last year. Sino-Cambodian Economic and Trade Relationship Brief Cambodia is a friendly adjacent nation of China. The long standing traditional friendship between the two nations has lasted for about 2000 years. China established diplomatic relations with Cambodia on July 19th 1958. The 2nd Prime Minister of Cambodian visited China from July 18th to 23rd in 1996, and in the July 19th, the two sides signed Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement. I. Bilateral Trade Cooperation Situation Before 1979, ¡¡ Sino-Cambodian trade volume records the highest as 52.44 million USD (1978). In October 1991, Paris Agreement was endorsed, which is about the political resolution of Cambodian issue. Since then, Sino-Cambodian economic and trade cooperation has been renewed and developed in a rapid pace. Since 1992, bilateral trade volume has seen a continuously rapid increasing. The increasing margin is much larger comparing to the growth rate of the nation's foreign trade. Historical record was renewed each year. In the year 1997, Sino-Cambodian trade volume hit 120 million USD, increasing by 71.8% comparing to the year before. In 1998, the number reached 162 million USD, another increase of 34.1%. The bilateral trade volume of 1999 is 160 million USD, dropping 1.1% comparing to the year before, of which China's exportation accounts for 104 million USD, dropping by 8.2%, importation 55.79 million USD, increasing by 15.8%, comparing to the year before. The principal exports from China to Cambodia include machinery and electric products, textile, steel, costumes and dressing accessories, on/off and protective circuits facility, house chinaware, medicine, billet and rough-forged material, footwear, and etc. The principal imports from Cambodia to China include caoutchouc, log, timber, veneer and etc. II. Chinese Investment in Cambodia According to the statistics of Foreign Economic and Trade Department, by the end of 1999, the number of Chinese invested projects in Cambodia is 43, investing amount totaling 90.69 million USD, of which Chinese investment accounts for 67.77 million USD. The investment mainly focuses on forest exploitation, timber processing, construction material and production, glasswork, mine exploitation, agricultural products and food processing, costume factory, hotel, department store, engineering project, clinics and general trade. III. Contractual Labor Cooperation By the end of 1999, Chines companies have signed a total contractual labor¡¡of 1232 in Cambodia, contract value 279.8 million USD, turnover 116 million USD. In the year 1999, the number of newly signed contracts by Chinese companies in Cambodia is 373, contract value totaling 84.28 million USD, turnover 41.07 million USD. Economic and Trade Relationship between China and India   I. Bilateral Trade Sino-Indian trade initiated in 1951. In 1954, the governments of the two nations endorsed a trade agreement, which is renewed in August 1984. Seven yearly trading agreements have been signed in sequence since 1986. The bilateral trade between China and India develops in a rapid pace with trade volume increasing continuously, variety of exchanging commodity gradually expanding, and strengthening of communication between professionals of the two nations. 1¡¢General Trade According to the statistics of Chinese Custom, the total amount of Sino-Indian trade is 1.83 billion USD, increasing by 30.2% comparing to last year, of which Chinese exportation accounts for 933 million USD, 36 points up comparing to last year, Chinese importation 897 million USD, an increase of 24.7% comparatively. In the year 1998, bilateral trade rises up to 1.92 billion USD, of which Chinese exportation is 1.016 billion USD, importation 905 million USD. Currently, India is the biggest trade partner of China in south Asia. The bilateral trade volume of 1999 is 1.987 billion USD, comparatively increasing by 3.4%. 2¡¢Export and Import Commodity The principal exports from China to India include raw silk, beans, sheet and paper pulp, rosin, coke, medical product, light industry product, textile product, chemical industry product, food, metal product, machinery facility and etc. The principal imports from India include iron ore sand, chrome ore, gem, steel, leather, plant oil, southern medicine, raw material for chemical industry, and etc. II. Economic Cooperation In the year 1997, China has signed 11 labor contracts as well as consulting agreements¡¡in India, contract value totaling 42.59 million USD, actual fulfillment value 18.79 million USD. In 1998, the number of contracts and agreement climb to 13, with contract value totaling 24.33 million USD, actual fulfillment value 50.87 million USD, and headcount abroad 725. By the end of 1998, the number of Chinese-Indian joint venture company is 6, of which Chinese investment accounts for nearly 3 million USD. III. Contractual Labor Cooperation By the end of 1999, Chines companies have signed a total contractual labor¡¡of 1232 in Cambodia, contract value 279.8 million USD, turnover 116 million USD. In the year 1999, the number of newly signed contracts by Chinese companies in Cambodia is 373, contract value totaling 84.28 million USD, turnover 41.07 million USD. Sino-South Korean Economic and Trade Relationship Brief   I. Trade Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and S.K. in 1992, the bilateral trade has seen a rapid developing growth. Trade volume rockets dramatically from 5.03 billion USD of 1997 to 24.04 billion USD of 1997, with an average annual growth rate of 36.7%. The trade volume dropped down to some extent as a result of financial crisis in 1998. While in 1999, bilateral trade show a new trend of increasing, total volume of the year reached 25.036 billion USD, comparatively increasing by 17.7%, of which Chines exportation accounts for 7.808 billion USD, importation 17.228 billion USD, comparative increasing rates are 24.9% and 14.7% respectively. Since the beginning of this year, bilateral trade keeps a continuously rapid increasing trend. From January to April, trade volume¡¡achieves 10.141 billion USD, 47 points up ¡¡ from the same period of the year before, of which Chinese exportation 3.346 billion USD, importation 6.795 billion USD, increasing 59.7% and 41.4% respectively comparing to the year before. China has a trade deficit of 3.449 billion USD. As to the export and import commodity structure, for many years, China's principal exports to South Korea focus on textile raw material and products, crude oil and finished product, corn, coal and other raw materials. Other large commodities include¡¡raw material for chemical industry, steel, leather products, footwear, feed-stuff and machinery and electric facility. In the recent years, high value-added¡¡products accounts more in exportation to S.K. such as electronic parts. China principal imports from SK include chemical industry product, electronic product, paper sheet, steel and etc. II. Investment to China Since the breakout of financial crisis in the end of 1997, South Korean investment to China has seen a continuous declining. While with the alleviating of crisis, the newly signed South Korean investment contract to China increase dramatically, but the fulfilling investment amount is still in a sliding stance. From January to April this year, the number of approved South Korean investing projects coming into China reaches 623, contract South Korean investment 543 million USD, fulfilling 306 million USD, the increasing rates are respectively 46.24%, 21.3% and -28.68%, comparing to the same period of the year before. By the end of April, the total approved South Korean investing projects entering into China reaches 13,448, contract South Korean investment 16.924 billion USD, fulfilling investment 9.046 billion USD. South Korean investment mainly focuses on the areas of manufacture (fiber, costume, electronic and appliance assembling, footwear making, petrol-chemical product, food and beverage industry), transportation, mining and construction, trade, real estate, and etc. III. Capital Cooperation Since 1993, South Korean has been providing for China Economic and development Cooperation Fund(EDCF) loans. In November 1995, the governments of the two nations endorsed the principle general agreement to which EDCF loans provided for China by South Korea are subject for the following 10 years. By the end of September 1997, South Korea has undertaken three batches loans with a total amount about 230 million USD. The loans will be used on the construction of 23 projects. However, the breakout of financial crisis has set the fourth batch loans with a total amount about 170 million USD into a standstill. With the recovery and development of South Korean economy, the above loans cooperation starts to thaw. Till now South Korean side has undertaken another three projects totaling 19.5 million USD. IV. Labor Cooperation Since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1992, graduates as well as the labors China assigned to South Korea has been increasing gradually and developing rapidly. In 1999, the number of newly signed labor contract reaches 768, contract value totaling 176 million USD. At the end of the year, the number of graduates assigned to South Korea is 35733. By the end of 1999, the total labor contract value China has entered with South Korea reaches 1.446 billion USD, turnover 902 million USD. V. Industrial Cooperation To further foster the economic cooperation between China and South Korea, implementing industrial cooperation in those areas of mutual interests, Chinese and South Korean governments endorsed Agreement on Set up Sino-Korean Industrial Cooperation Committee. The authoritative department of Chinese side is State Economic and Trade Committee. Sino-Korean industrial cooperation will be initiated in the areas of automobile, high definition TV, program-controlled electronic switching machine and energy. Both sides made extensive contacts and discussion on the cooperation. Sino-Iran Economic and Trade Relationships Brief

I. Trade Status
Sino-Iran trade initiates in 1950. Since the two nations established foreign relationship in August 1971, trade relation has been further developed. Sino-Iran Bilateral Economic and Trade Committee has convened for ten times, the 10th congress was held in Beijing from November 29th to December 2nd 1999.
Trade payment between the two nations was changed to cash payment. The trade volume rocketed to 314 million USD, of which China exportation accounts for 261 million USD, importation 53.21 million USD. In 1999, bilateral exportation or importation added up to 1.347 billion USD, of which China exportation accounts for 660 million USD, importation 685 million USD, increasing by 10.9%, 0.9% and 22.6% respectively, comparing to the year before.

II. Principle Exports and Imports
In 1970s and 1980s, China mainly imported crude oil from Iran. In the recent years, China's exportation to Iran includes machinery facility, light industry, hardware and miming products, chemical industry, textile, apparatus, industrial and agricultural tool, food and oil. Machinery and electric product has become the top commodity exporting to Iran. The value of machinery and electric exports (50% are project driven exports) in the year 1998 is 460 million USD, accounting for 70% of the total value. Crude oil is on the top of China's importation list from Iran, accounting for 74 per cent of importation volume. In 1999, machinery and electric exports from China are 450 million USD, accounting for 68% of the total exportation; crude oil imports are 520 million USD, accounting for 76% of the total importation.

III. Economic and Technology Cooperation
Economic and technology cooperation between China and Iran initiated in 1982. The development process was slowed down due to the impact of Iran and Iraq war. After the cease-fire, Sino-Iran economic and technology cooperation to make bigger progress. In 1999, from January to August, China has signed in Iran 17 new labor contracts, totaling 54.74 million USD, turnover 120 million USD. By the end of August 1999, there are altogether 277 Chinese engineers and labors in Iran, covering the areas of dam design, non-ferrous metal smelting and other business.

I. Recent Situation of Vietnam
Thanks to ten years of reform and opening up, especially as a result of deepening reform during the recent five years, Vietnam economy assumes a continuous growing trend. Price is fairly stable, and people life is gradually improved. From 1991 to 1996, the average growth rate of Vietnamese GDP is 8.5%. Affected by Asian financial crisis, the growth rate of Vietnam economy was getting crippled year by year since 1997. In the year 1999, Vietnam economy was still dangling in the bottom, GDP growth is only 4.8%, industry increased by 10.5%, agriculture 5%. Vietnam's foreign trade volume in 1999 adds up to 23.15 billion USD, increasing by 12.38% comparing to last year. Trade deficit dropped in a large scale to a level of 110 million USD. By the end of 1999, Vietnam has approved altogether 2790 foreign invested projects, contract value totaling 35.987 billion USD.

II. Sino-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation Status
Sino-Vietnam bilateral trade starts a new trend of increasing, but China's export to Vietnam still declines in a large scale. According to Chinese custom statistics, Sino-Vietnam bilateral trade volume in 1997 reached 1.44 billion USD, 1.25 billion USD for 1998 and 1.32 billion USD for 1999, up 5.8% from last year. Of the total volume, export accounts for 964 million USD, imports 354 million USD, down 6.23% and up 63.13% respectively. Due to the decline of export and increase of import, Vietnam's trade deficit to China reduced from 810 million USD in 1998 to a level of 610 million USD in 1999. In 1999, Chinese companies make new development in project contracts and labor cooperation in Vietnam. New project contracts signed by Chinese companies in Vietnam of the current year added up to 325, up 99.4% from last year, with contract value of 117.88 million USD, turnover 83.17 million USD, up respectively 57.9% and 26.6% from last year.

I. Current Economic Status in Thailand
Since the 2nd half of 1999, Thailand's economy started to show a sign of recovery, indicated numbers;include annual economic growth rate 4.2%, inflation rate 0.3%,The exchange rate that Thailand currency against US dollar is sustained around 1:37. Foreign exchange reserve is 34.8 billion USD at the end of the year. Total foreign debt volume 79.8 billion USD.
Total export and import volume of Thailand in the current year is 108.4 billion USD, up 11.8% from the last year. of which, export accounts for 58.5 billion USD, up 7.3%, import 49.9 billion USD, up 17.6%.

II. Bilateral Economic and Trade Relation Brief

1. Bilateral Trade
In the year 1999,Sino-Thailand bilateral trade volume rises to a new record of 4.22 billion USD, up 17.9% from last year. Chinese export is 1.44 billion USD, import 2.78 billion USD, up respectively 23.6% and 15.2% from last year. Since 1996, it has been four years that trade deficit on China. In China's trade partners list according to nations, Thailand ranks the 17th. Also it is the 4th biggest trading partner to China among Eastern Alliance nations.

2. Two-way investment
By the end of 1999, there have been 2751 Thailand investment projects that have been given green light to China, contract foreign investment volume reaching 4.805 billion USD, effective investment 1.787 billion USD. In the year 1999, approved Thailand invested projects in China adds up to 120, contract foreign investment volume 250 million USD, effective investment 146 million USD, down respectively 9.77% 8.8% and 28.25% from last year. Calculating by contract investment, Thailand ranks the 18th among nations and districts invested in China in the current year.
By the end of 1999, joint ventures and solely-invested enterprises in Thailand which have been approved by Chinese Foreign Economic and Trade Department reach 212, total investing amount 193 million USD, among which, Chinese investment 84.23 million USD. In the year 1999, there are 3 Chinese investment entering into Thailand, total investing amount 6.22 million USD, among which, Chinese investment accounts for 2.75 million USD.

III. Assistance to Thailand
In 1997, after the outburst of financial crisis in Thailand, China participated in the assistance provided under IMF projects, and offered additional 1 billion USD loan to Thailand for bilateral assistance.

IV. Contract Project and Labor Cooperation in Thailand
By the end of 1999, labor contracts Chines companies has signed in Thailand reach 1786, with contract value 1.851 billion USD, turnover 888 million USD.
In the year 1999, labor contracts Chines companies has newly signed in Thailand reach 156, up 2.63% from last year, contract valuing 310 million USD, up 10.34% from last year, turnover 125 million USD, down 8.65% from last year.

Economic and Trade relations between China and Singapore

I. Bilateral Trade
Bilateral trade in 1999 reaches 8.56 billion USD, up 4.7% from last year, of which China export accounts for 4.5 billion USD, up 14.2%, import 4.06 billion USD, down 4.1%. Singapore has become the 7th biggest trade partner of China, and also the biggest among Eastern Alliance nations. China ranks the 6th on Singapore's trade partner's list.

II. Singapore's investment in China
By the end of 1999, China has given green light to 8,494 Singapore investment projects coming into China, contract value totaling 33.4 billion USD, effective investment reaching 14.7 billion USD. Investment covers areas such as machinery manufacture, industrial and agricultural production and food processing, rubber production, textile, electronics, steel, real estate and etc. Suzhou Industrial Park is the biggest cooperation project between the two nations.

III. Contract Labor
By the end of 1999, labor contracts China has newly signed in Singapore reach 9,692, contract value totaling 5.3914 billion USD, effective turnover 4.002 billion USD. In the year 1999, labor contracts China has newly signed in Singapore reach 1457, contract value 1.1756 billion USD, turnover 1.0864 billion USD.

Economic and Trade relations between China and Japan

Sino-Japanese economic and trade relation plays an essential role among the entire economic and trade relations between the two nations. As key economic and trade partners to each other, Japan has, for the recent 7 years, been the biggest trade partner to China. China is the 2nd trade partner to Japan. Japan is also the main source nation from which China absorbs foreign investment and introduces technologies. Japan also the biggest provider of governmental loan and gratuitous assistance to China.

I. Sino-Japanese Trade
In 1999, Sino-Japanese trade switches the dramatic sliding trend started since 1998, and sees an overall increasing. Bilateral trade volume hit the record of 66.167 billion USD, comparatively up 14.2%, of which export accounts for 32.399, comparatively up 9.2%, import 33.768 billion USD, up 19.4%. Chinese deficit is 1.369 billion USD. This is the first time since 1995 China exceeds in import to Japan.
Since the start of this year, Sino-Japanese trade keeps an continuous increasing trend, in a scale much higher than the same period of past. During the first 4 months of this year, the total Sino-Japanese tradevolume reaches 24.62 billion USD, up 31% from the same period of last year, among which China export accounts for 12.232 billion USD, up 32.4%, China import 12.387 billion USD, up 29.7%. Deficit on China is 155 million USD.

II. Direct Investment to China by Japanese Enterprises
Although the sliding trend of direct investment to China by Japanese enterprises has not been switched in 1999, but the sliding scale is much effectively controlled. The number of projects newly signed in the year is 1136, down 4.38% contract foreign investment value is 2.489 billion USD, down by 7.76% effective utilization value reaches 3.003 billion USD, down by 4.89%.
During the first four month of this year, the number of Japanese investment to China is 399, up 26.67% from the same period of last year, contract value 1.007 billion USD, up 47.89%; effective utilization is 827 million USD, down by 15.51%. Japanese investment accounts for 6.58%, 6.88% and 8.49% among the entire foreign investment introduced by China. By the end of April of this year, accumulative number of projects introduced by China is 19137, contract value 36.039 billion USD, effective utilizing value 25.742 billion.

III. Japanese Yen Loan
Since 1979 to present, China has utilized altogether four batches of Japanese Yen Loan, accumulating value reaching 2.646137 trillion Japanese Yen., accounting for 50% of the entire loans foreign governmental undertook to China, ranking the first of the list, with a project number 165, covering energy, environmental protection, transportation and etc. Loan agreement for this year is signed in March, totaling 192.637 billion Japanese Yen, project number 19.

IV. Gratuitous Assistance
Since 1981 to present, China has accepted in total gratuitous assistance from Japanese about 112.063 billion Japanese Yen, ranking the first among gratuitous assistance provided to China, accounting for about 25%, project number about 98, covering education, medical treatment, agriculture, and other areas. In the year 1999, total amount of Japanese gratuitous assistance to China reaches 4.35 billion Japanese Yen, project number 6.

Economic and Trade Relations between China and South Asian as well as part of West Asian Countries

I. Bilateral Trade
The trading volume between China and eight south Asian countries as a whole (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Bhutan) is 4.178 billion USD, up 6.64% from the same period of last year. Of the total volume China export accounts for 2.928 billion USD, import 1.250 billion USD, respectively up by 13.23% and down by 6.16%. Trade between China and south Asian countries has following features; firstly, thanks to the stable domestic economic situation, China sees a robust increasing trend on its export to south Asian countries; secondly, international sanctions on India and Pakistan for their nuclear experiments has been eased to some extend, as a result demand for Chinese commodities from these countries comes to a rise. In the year 1999, China's export to both India and Pakistan is up by 10%thirdly, Sino-Nepal trade volume reaches a record level, which become a bright spot of trade between China and south Asian countries, of which China export to Nepal reaches 207 million USD, up by 209.6%
Principal exports from China to south Asian countries include machinery and electric product, chemical industrial product, and medical material, raw silk, coke, steel, concrete, textile and etc. Principal imports from south Asian countries to China include iron ore sand, chromium ore, leather and textile materials and etc.
In 1999, trade volume between China and west Asian countries (Turkey, Iran and Cyprus) is 2.134 billion USD, of which China export accounts for 1.401 billion USD, import 733 million USD, up by 6.81%, 0.4% and 21.76% respectively. Sino-Iranian trade makes a record of 1.374 billion USD, up by 10.9% from the same period of last year. Sino-Turkish trade declines a little, however China's export to Turkey increases by 10.6%. Trade imbalance situation is alleviated to some extend.
Principal exports from China to the above three nations include textile product, machinery and electric products and facilities, metal and chemical product, instruments and apparatus, industrial and agricultural tool and etc. Principal imports to China include crude oil, steel, chromium ore and etc.

II. Economic and Technological Cooperation
In 1999, labor contracts China has newly signed with south Asian countries reaches 297, contract value totaling 482 million USD, turnover 617 million USD. Labors sending out add up to 5635 headcount.Labor contracts China has newly signed with three west Asian countries is 57, contract value 116 million USD, turnover 218 million USD, Labors sending out add up to 1156. The district keeps the status of being one of the most important contracting project markets to China. In 1999, Chinese government continues offering possible assistance to some south Asian countries, entering into new assistance agreement with governments of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The new gratuitous assistance is RMB 138 million and favorable loan, RMB 100 million.

III. Important Economic and Trade Exchanges
In January, 1999, Deputy Minister Su Guangxiang met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister and his attendants¡¡who had been invited to visit China. In March, Deputy Minister Chen Xinhua, visited Iran and Turkey with an economic and trade delegation, in June, Minister Shi Guangsheng met with Cyprian Minister of Industrial and Commercial Travel Department who came to visit China along with Cyprian President. In November, China and India Economic and Trade Seminar kicked off in Beijing, Deputy Minister Zhou Keren presented the meeting and made speech. On November 29th, the 10th meeting of Sino-Iranian Economic and Trade Technology Cooperation Committee was held n Beijing. State Department Delegate Wu Yi hosted the meeting with visiting Vice president of India, who was met later during the session with President Jiang Zeming, Vice President Hu Jitao as well as Vice Premier Qian Qichen.

Economic and Trade Relations between China and Eastern Alliance Countries in 1999

On April 30, 1999, Cambodia formally acceded to Eastern Alliance, and thus, a ten-nation Eastern Alliance (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) came into being. With the economic recovery of Eastern Alliance countries, China's economic and trade exchanges with these nations start to show a sign of rising.

I. Bilateral Trade
In 1999, the bilateral trade between China and Eastern Alliance countries rises in a large scale. The trade volume of the whole year reaches USD 27.2 billion, up 15% from last year, of which export accounts for USD 12.3 billion, import USD 14.9 billion, up respectively 11£¥ and 18% from that of last year. Principal exports from China to Eastern Alliance include machinery and electric product, textile and costume, finished oil and food, of which machinery and electric product exports increase by 20 points from last year, reaching 6 billion USD, accounting for 49£¥ of total export. Principal import from China to Eastern Alliance include electronic product, crude oil, LPG and finished oil, foliage oil, timber and wood product, chemical industrial material and etc.

II. Economic Technology Cooperation
In 1999, investment from Eastern Alliance to China continues to decline. Newly signed investment projects from Eastern Alliance to China add up to 931, a six points down than that of last year; contract investment value 3.13 billion USD, down by 21 per cent; effective investing amount 3.29 billion USD, down by 20£¥. In 1999, contracting projects and labor cooperation between Eastern Alliance and China starts to recover. The number of newly signed labor and design/consulting contracts is 2817, up by 21% than last year, contract value totaling 2.5 billion USD, effective turnover 1,8 billion USD, up respectively by 10% and 5% from that of last year.

III. Important Economic and Trade Exchanges
In the year 1999, economic and trade authorities of Chinese and Eastern Alliance countries governments keeps frequent communication in senior level. In January, Zhang Xiang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic and Trade Department, met with Laos' Trade and Travel Minister who came to visit China along with Laos's Premier. Sino- Eastern Alliance Economic and Trade Seminar kicked off in Beijing. Long Yongtu, Chief Negotiation Delegates of Foreign Economic and Trade Department presented the opening ceremony and made speech.
In February, Su Guangxiang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic and Trade Department met with Vietnamese Trade Minister Zhang Tingxuan who came to visit China with Vietnamese Central Secretary in General
In April, Liu Xiangdong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic and Trade Department led Chinese economic and trade delegation attending the Sino- Eastern Alliance Country Economic and Trade Cooperation and Projects Discussion. Deputy Minister Su Guangxiang, leading Chinese government economic and trade delegation, visited Singapore and Cambodia. Thailand Commerce Department Minister visited China.
In June, Cheng Xinhua, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic and Trade Department hold talks with Burma's Chairman Council Minister as well Commerce Minister who came to visit along with Burma's top Secretary in General of National Peace and Development Committee. Malaysian Primary Product Industry Department Minister visited China with his delegation.
In August, invited by Shi Guansheng, Minister of Foreign Economic and Trade Department, Singapore Trade and Industry Department Minister and a governmental-entrepreneurs delegation will visit China. Deputy Minister Cheng Xinhua met with Malaysian Trade Department Deputy Minister who came to visit China along with Malaysian Premier. Deputy Minister Sun Guangxiang also met and treated visiting Cambodian Countryside Development Department State Council Secretary and his delegates.
In September, Deputy Minister Cheng Xinhua met with the visiting Vietnamese Agriculture and Countryside Development Department Deputy Minister.
In February, Deputy Minister Cheng Xinhua held talks with visiting Burma's Foreign Minister on bilateral economic and trade cooperation.