More cooperation agreements in pipeline

China will sign economic and trade cooperation agreements with more than 30 countries and undertake 100 projects to promote trade and investment in countries and regions related to the Belt and Road Initiative as part of its efforts to make global trade more convenient, according to Zhong Shan, minster of commerce, speaking on Sunday.

"We will accelerate policy implementation of the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement and further simplify regulatory procedures in areas such as customs clearance, quarantine and taxation," Zhong said, at a session about trade connectivity at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The ministry predicted that during the next five years, China will import goods worth as much as $8 trillion, including $2 trillion in shipments from countries and regions related to the initiative, while Chinese companies will invest more than $750 billion and up to 500 million tourists will head overseas.