In the latest survey by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Institute, 76.5 percent of some 900 Japanese businesses answering the questionnaire expressed their intention of even heavier investment in China.

The survey shows an upward trend of production facilities by Japanese manufacturers since 1993. The number of plants was less than 200 in 1993 but soared to 1346 in 2004.

Data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce recorded more than 30,000 Japan-funded projects by the end of October, 2004, which involved contracted value of 65 billion USD and actual injection of 46.1 billion USD.

In the mean time, Chinese firms have kept investing more in Japan. In 2002, Chinese investors pumped more than 100 million USD in some 20 projects in Japan. Some leading Chinese giants, such as Haier and Lenovo, have already made presence in Japan market.

Statistics by Japan shows more than 40 percent of the investment in China made by Corporate Japan goes to the Yangtze River Delta. Although their investment in Bohai Rim areas is also rising, the pace is slower and the share is diminishing.

A researcher with the Ministry of Commerce sees great significance of further cooperation on technologies between Chinese and Japanese enterprises to boost and sustain the bilateral economic and trade exchanges.

China is Japan's largest trade partner while Japan is China's third largest trade partner.

By People's Daily Online