XINHUA (the New China News Agency) and the Washington-based Sino American Trade Development Council have launched a programme to provide trade services for small Chinese and US companies.
The joint co-operation agreement, known as ''Tradelinks Program'', was signed last month by the Council's chairman Robert Goodman and Ma Yunsheng, managing director of Fortune China Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xinhua.
It will supply information on international trade advisories, market developments and advertising services.
Its main task will be to bring US small businessmen from small firms in the US to invest in similar Chinese firms.
A delegation of US investors will be sent to China to visit a select group of small firms early next year.
''There was a misconception in America that it was difficult for American companies to enter the Chinese market. This was because many American companies did not understand the business environment here,'' said Mr Goodman.
Mr Ma is promoting the concept of small industries in China at present.