After signing a total of 37 business deals worth more than 14 billion U.S. dollars with German corporations, a Chinese business delegation led by Commerce Minister Chen Deming, will spend the next few days in European cities for further business talks as part of the massive procurement mission.

Xiaohong has more.

Switzerland is the second leg of the delegation's European tour. Switzerland is not an EU country but Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming said the visit reflects closer economic ties between the two countries.

During Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Switzerland last month, the two countries signed a series of agreements to protect investment and establish areas of free trade.

The latest stop on this Chinese business tour will further strengthen cooperation, said Chen Deming.

He added that the major purpose of this tour was to introduce Chinese enterprises to modern techniques to help China's industrial structure. And Switzerland has a leading position in some areas.

"Switzerland has the leading position in precision mechanism and pharmacy manufacturing. We would sign purchasing contracts and cooperation agreements in these fields with a total amount of over 300 million US dollars."

The minister said the tour has once again reiterated China's determination to work with European countries in addressing the global economic crisis. He said the move reflected China's sincere objection to trade protectionism.

"No country can keep an outstanding record amid the global financial crisis and economic recession. China, an export-dependent country, is no exception. We have a huge trade surplus. And we tend to introduce the things we need. Also, I would like to send out this message that China, as a major trading power, is against trade protectionism."

Minister Chen revealed that the high-level business delegation tour is only part of a strengthening cooperation between China and Europe. More moves will be followed with focuses on both import and export.

China is a key market for the EU and is the 25-nation bloc's fastest growing export destination. Bilateral trade increased 19 percent year-on-year to 425.6 billion US dollars in 2008, with China having a trade surplus of 160 billion US dollars.

Xiaohong, CRI News.