that can show that benefit we have from our corporation. last year in 2011, our total trade volume reached $447 billion. for the first half of this year, we recorded trade volume of $231 billion u.s., an increase of 12%. china is of the first largest and growing market. china is the no. 1 market for agriculture for u.s. agricultural products like soybeans and cotton. soybeans are 60% of -- is sold to china. one-third of u.s. cotton is sold to china. china is also an important

market for u.s. automobiles and aircraft. china also is in long-term market for u.s. service industry. in this area, the u.s. has done a long time service. at the same time, the chinese want to prepare -- entrepreneurs are interested in making investments in the united states so there are more and more chinese companies coming to the united states and investments. according to chinese statistics, for the last 18 months, the chinese investment in the united states grew by 18-40% -- by 14%. it is up to $6 billion. the investment is still a small

figure. it is growing very fast. today, our common interests have expanded and interdependence has been deepened. now, as the impact of the financial crisis still lingers, both china and the united states have committed to transforming their economic growth. their economic growth models by increasing input in some new areas like new energy, high- tech, high end manufacturing, i.t., bioscience, etc. these could translate into new corporation -- cooperation

opportunities. the u.s. as you know is implementing its export initiatives and select u.s. programs while the chinese government is implementing its plan. one of the main contents of the plan is to expand tschida's domestic demand -- tschida's domestic demand. so for the next five years, -- china's domestic demand. we will import 10 trillion dollars of food from abroad including those from the united states. also, china is now working very hard on a global strategy. we encourage the chinese companies to work, to invest in foreign countries, including the united states. with this drive going on, i

believe more and more chinese companies will come to invest in the united states. if we embrace all these efforts together, i am sure the result will benefit both countries on both sides. history and the facts have proven that china and the u.s. or sino-u.s. corp. is no zero sum game. rather, it is always win win and win win always prevails. as the two countries are at development level, the two countries have a divergent history and political system, it is natural and normal that we can encounter some difficulties

in disagreement and frictions during the course of our cooperation. that we should make a greater endeavour to expand our common interests and to properly deal with these differences. the chinese government will make rigorous efforts to create a more leveling -- a more level playing ground for investors in china. we will step up our ipr protection and further open up our market. at the same time, we also strongly urge the u.s. side to loosen its export controls to china and also urged the u.s. government to treat the chinese enterprises working in the

united states in a fair manner. i think as long as we were close together -- work close together, we will find more and more opportunities and we will find more and more when-when results. -- win-win results. i hope that the seminar could be a catalyst to boosting cooperation between china and california and san francisco. and help bring more tangible benefits to the economy and the people of both countries of both sides. thank you very much. [applause] >> thank you, vice minister. now we will proceed with the

signing ceremony. that will be emceed by [unintelligible] >> [speaking foreign language] good morning, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. i am from the investment promotion agency. it is my honor to be the emcee of the signing ceremony today. matt have the honor of inviting the distinguished leaders -- may i have the honor of inviting the distinguished leaders to the podium for the signing ceremony? [speaking foreign language]

let's invite the hon. avenue sen -- gavin newsom, honorable edwin lee, the hon. minister of the deputy of commerce, the consulate general of china in san francisco, the minister of the embassy of china in the u.s. [speaking foreign language] and the tenant governor newsome is mcclaren's -- lt. gov. newsom

is joining us. [speaking foreign language] for the first year, the investment promotion energy and china sf to sign a memorandum of understanding. they are recycling the purchase contract. congratulations. [applause] [speaking foreign language]

let's invite both to sign the letter of tintend for soybean purchase -- intent for soybean purchase. congratulations and thank you. [applause] [speaking foreign language]

let's invite the china chamber of commerce and paramount. and blue diamond. the china chamber of commerce and blue diamond growers to sign the project on imports of all men's -- almonds. thank you. congratulations. [speaking foreign language]

ladies and gentlemen, this is the end of the signing ceremony. congratulations to the organizations and companies and thanks to the distinguished leaders witnessing the ceremony. thank you very much.

>> there are kids and families ever were. it is really an extraordinary playground. it has got a little something for everyone. it is aesthetically billion. it is completely accessible. you can see how excited people are for this playground. it is very special. >> on opening day in the brand- new helen diller playground at north park, children can be seen swinging, gliding, swinging, exploring, digging, hanging, jumping, and even making drumming sounds. this major renovation was possible with the generous

donation of more than $1.5 million from the mercer fund in honor of san francisco bay area philanthropist helen diller. together with the clean and safe neighborhood parks fund and the city's general fund. >> 4. 3. 2. 1. [applause] >> the playground is broken into three general areas. one for the preschool set, another for older children, and a sand area designed for kids of all ages. unlike the old playground, the new one is accessible to people with disabilities. this brand-new playground has several unique and exciting features. two slides, including one 45- foot super slide with an elevation change of nearly 30 feet. climbing ropes and walls, including one made of granite. 88 suspension bridge. recycling, traditional swing,

plus a therapeutics win for children with disabilities, and even a sand garden with chines and drums. >> it is a visionary $3.5 million world class playground in the heart of san francisco. this is just really a big, community win and a celebration for us all. >> to learn more about the helen diller playground in dolores park, go to sfrecpark.org.