May 10 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-eight contracts were signed this afternoon at the Third Session of the China (Beijing) International Hi-Tech Industries Week 2000.

Statistics indicate that the contracts have a total investment of 526 million U.S. dollars in biological engineering, new medicine, information technology, industrial technological upgrading and other areas.

A spokesman for the week said that the projects also include some joint-ventures that will help improve the environment, develop satellite cities and build small cities and towns. Hi-tech week was launched on May 8 and will finish on May 12.