国内英语新闻:German state builds closer ties with Sichuan

CHENGDU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Construction on the China headquarters for businesses from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia started in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, on Friday.

North Rhine-Westphalia is located in the heart of Europe and it is the most populous and developed regions in Germany.

With a total investment of 2 billion yuan (290 million euros), the headquarters will cover 380,000 square meters. It is expected to bring together German companies in southwest China and attract more German companies to invest in the Chinese market. It will also offer consultants for Chinese companies that are willing to invest in Germany.

So far, more than 800 Chinese companies have started businesses in North Rhine-Westphalia.

According to statistics from the German government, bilateral trade volume between China and Germany increased 8.8 percent in 2014 year on year to 153.8 billion euros.