Delegation seeks deals in Europe

CHINESE Commerce Minister Chen Deming is leading representatives from Bank of China Ltd, China Shipping (Group) Co and more than 20 other companies to Europe to expand business amid the worldwide recession.

The group, including China National Coal Group, CNFC Overseas Fishery Co, Suzhou New District High-tech Industrial Co and representatives from Chinese car makers, is to visit Germany, Switzerland, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The companies will follow up on issues and deals discussed during a similar trip to Europe last month, the ministry said. The global financial crisis is spurring the Chinese government to seek business opportunities and cooperation in Europe and to signal China's commitment to an open market, Bloomberg News said.

The cooperation will focus on sectors including vehicles, machinery, electronics, food, textiles, pharmaceuticals and environmental protection, the ministry said.