The Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique, Li Chunhua, said in Maputo that in the last two years Mozambican exports to China reached US$1 billion, about a third of the aggregate value of bilateral trade.

China is now Mozambique’s third largest trading partner, just behind South Africa and the European Union, said Mr Li, quoted by the Mozambique News Agency.

The volume of trade between Mozambique and China has been growing fast in recent years, rising from US$1.6 billion in 2013 to US$2.9 billion in the first 10 months of 2014, said the Ambassador.

Mr Li stated that the areas of cooperation have also been extended to sectors such as public health, culture, education and social economy, including agriculture, infrastructure, energy, transports and communications.

There are currently 60 Chinese companies operating in Mozambique, said Mr Li. He added that in recent years China has helped implementing 26 construction projects in Mozambique, trained more than 1,000 Mozambicans and granted loans for 17 infrastructure projects.