"Africa's economy has grown by 5 percent annually in the new century with the help of China's aid and investment."

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, saying economic cooperation between China and Africa has contributed more than 20 percent to African countries' growth over the past 13 years,

"Although exports have shown signs of rebounding, three export-related factors - a lackluster overseas market, surging costs and an unfavorable trade environment - remain unchanged."

Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, upon the release of a ministry survey conducted among 1,900 companies last month in which 38.7 percent of respondents said they received more orders from overseas from February to March, the first time the percentage stayed above 35 percent since April last year.

(China Daily 04/26/2013 page14)