The trade between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will grow at an annual rate of about 20 percent and is expected to hit 200 billion US dollars by 2010, according to information from the 9th East Asian Economic Cooperation Forum in south China Thursday.

China's trade with the ROK was only 5 billion US dollars when the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. In 2004, it reached 90 billion US dollars, over 17 times more than that in 1992.

"The ROK is now the third largest trade partner of China and China has become the largest trade partner and the largest market for its exports," said Xu Wenchang, director with the Asian-Pacific study center of World Trade and Economic Cooperation Institute under the Ministry of Commerce.

According to statistics provided by China's customs, the two countries trade has been growing at a rate of 30.8 percent during the 12-year period from 1992 to 2004.

The main trade items have shifted from textile and garments to high value-added products like computers and IT-related products.

The 9th East Asian Economic Cooperation Forum, held in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is aimed at promoting trade and cooperation among east Asian countries.

Source: Xinhua