Since the beginning of 2002, China's foreign trade and investment had developed in a stable way, with a more satisfying growth of foreign investment than expected, she said.

In the first half-year, contracted foreign investment totaled 43.99 billion US dollars, up 31.5 percent over the same period of 2001, while foreign investment in use grew 18.7 percent to 24.58 billion US dollars, she said.

China would continue to reform administrative approval systems, push forward administration by law, promote government efficiency and create a healthy business environment to attract more foreign investment, she said.

MOFTEC would endeavor to optimize foreign investment structure, making investment serve the Chinese economic restructure, enhance competitiveness and help China's western development strategy, she said.

(Shanghai Daily July 31, 2002)