BEIJING -- The Ministry of Finance said Wednesday it will start selling 28 billion yuan ($4.44 billion) in 30-year book-entry treasury bonds on Thursday.

The bonds, marking the 13th batch to be floated this year, carry a fixed interest rate of 4.12 percent. The bonds will be sold to the public from Aug 2 to 6, the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

The bonds will become tradable on Aug 8, the ministry said.

It said interest will be paid semi-annually on Aug 2 and Feb 2, with the principal and final interest paid upon maturity on Aug 2, 2042.