国内英语新闻:China pledges more imports to optimize trade with S Africa

In another development, China on Wednesday signed a package of deals, purchasing products worth more than 300 million dollars from South Africa.

The deals, the biggest-ever single purchase China made from South Africa, involve nearly 30 corporations in the two countries and cover fishmeal, mohair, wool, bulk wine, copper, wood pulp, chrome ore and others.

"The signing of the enormous deal showed the cooperation initiative of businesses of the two countries," Jia said at the signing ceremony. More than 100 Chinese entrepreneurs came to South Africa on the purchase mission.

By the end of 2009, South Africa's investment in China totaled 546 million dollars while China's investment in South Africa amounted to 950 million dollars, Jia said.

Jia Qinglin (C Back), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attends the signing ceremony of a package of deals on Chinese enterprises' purchasing products worth more than 300 million U.S. dollars from South Africa, in Pretoria, South Africa, March 31, 2010.

China's investment has expanded from the traditional textile, garment and other industries to energy, mining, machinery, household electrical appliances and construction materials.

"Businesses in both countries should increase exchanges, expand areas of cooperation, boost substantive cooperation," Jia told the entrepreneurs.