The bilateral economic and trade relations have been developing steadily since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritius in 1972.

　(1) Trade Contacts

　According to the statistics from China Customs, the trade volume between the two countries amounted USD 96.13 million in the year 2001, in which China’s exports and imports are respectively USD 87.18 million and USD 8.95 million. China mainly exports textile materials, mechanical & electrical equipments light industrial products, rice and foodstuffs to Mauritius. China has a favorable balance of trade to Mauritius. China imports less from Mauritius because the latter is short of the products needed in the Chinese markets.

　(2) Labor Cooperation

　The bilateral labor cooperation started from 1989. Its domain has been constantly broadened. By the end of 2001 the Chinese contracted workers in Mauritius amounted to 11,000, most of them worked in over sixty factories of textile and clothing industries in Export Processing Zone.

　(3) Projects under the economic program

　Chinese government has offered some economic aids to Mauritius since the establishment of diplomatic ties. By providing interest-free loans or preferential loans with subsidized interest, china has helped Mauritius complete such economic projects as the Plaisance Airport Terminal Building, Belle Vue Stadium, bridges, houses, Recreation Center for Senior Citizens etc. A passenger-cargo vessel, the 1500 low-cost housing project and the Plaines Willhemes Trunk Sewer Project are in execution.

　(4) Contracted works

　Since 1993, such Chinese contractors as YIETC, Beijing Zhuzong, CWE have contracted some constructive projects whose funds provided by Mauritius government or international organizations. Such as Coromandel and North Beau Bassin Sewer System, Montagne Jacquot Rising Mains Projects, Office Building of Mauritius Freeport Authority, 1000 houses projects and Teaching Building of Mauritius University. The high qualities and speed completion of the above-mentioned works has gained good reputation for the Chinese contractors.

　(5) Investment in Production Enterprises

　So far there exist two China-invested production enterprises in Mauritius, i.e., Hong Kong-Shanghai Knitting Factory Ltd. and Tianli Spinning (Mauritius) Co. Ltd., and the latter is the first spinning production enterprise in Mauritius with the investment of USD 9.4 million for the first phase and is expected to produce 2,500 tons of spinning each year.