The Ministry of Finance issued on Tuesday 30 billion yuan (US$3.75 billion) book-entry treasury bonds.

With a maturity term of 10 years and an annual interest rate of 2.92 percent, the bonds, the 16th batch this year, will be floated on the capital market on October 9, the ministry announced on Monday.

The issue will be completed on September 28 and the interest will be calculated from September 26, said the statement.

Major underwriters for the issue of the bonds include the China Construction Bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Guotai Junan Securities.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2006)