The Chinese mainland had 48 new projects worth US$115.86 million in Vietnam in the first 11 months of this year, doubling the investment for the whole year of 2002.

It became the third biggest investor among 37 countries and regions having new investment projects in Vietnam in the period, according to Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment on Monday.

So far, the Chinese mainland has had 237 valid projects with total registered capital of 488.2 million dollars, ranking the 16th among 64 countries and regions having investment in Vietnam. Its realized capital has reached US$137.17 million.

Between January and November, Vietnam licensed 584 foreign-invested projects worth US$1.44 billion, of which 377 projects with combined capital of 900 millions involved industry.

China's Taiwan Province topped the list with 150 projects worth US$289.99 million.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2003)