China's purchasing delegation to the United States has signed deals worth 32.6 billion U.S. dollars, including the purchase of high-tech products such as aircraft engines, the Ministry of Commerce spokesman announced here on Wednesday.

Other high-tech products include third generation nuclear power facilities and telecommunication equipments, ministry spokesman Wang Xinpei said at a press conference in Beijing on

The purchase and investment deals were signed by the delegation headed by Vice Commerce Minister Ma Xiuhong during its 24-state U.S. tour this month to promote trade between the two countries.

The delegation also agreed to buy cell phones, cars and automotive spare parts, computer software, soybeans, cotton and oranges from the United States, said Wang.

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi suggested the United States expand the range of exports of civilian high-tech products and technologies to narrow the trade gap at the opening ceremony of the second round of the high-level U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED).

The dialogue focused on a range of issues, including rebalancing bilateral trade, opening up financial and non-financial service markets to each other, and promoting investment and clean energy cooperation.

A report by the Academy of Social Sciences forecast China's trade surplus with the United States at 178.2 billion U.S. dollars this year, an increase of 23.5 percent over last year.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China's trade surplus with the United States in the first quarter rose by 21.1 percent to 34.68 billion U.S. dollars. However, the monthly figure has been steadily declining since October.

Wang confirmed the two sides would discuss the protection of intellectual property and market access of publications as scheduled in Geneva from June 5 to 8.

(Xinhua News Agency via crienglish.com May 30, 2007)