In brief

1 August 2003

Germany's exports to China in April rose by 22 per cent year-on-year to reach US$1.7bn, according to figures released by Germany's statistics office.

The US has imposed sanctions on six companies, five Chinese and one North Korean, that it said had sold to Iran materials that could make a material contribution to missiles or weapons of mass destruction, AFP reported.

The UK's international trade minister Mike O’Brien called on China to do more to meet its World Trade Organisation commitments and to take the lead among developing countries in the next round of WTO trade talks.

The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that the interim rule on imports of genetically modified crops has been extended from September 20 to April 20 next year.