China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Wednesday it would issue this year's fifth batch of long-term book-entry treasury bonds worth 22 billion yuan (3.22 billion U.S. dollars) this week.

The issue period is April 9 to 14, said a statement on the ministry's website.

The bonds, with a term of 30 years, have an annual interest rate of 4.02 percent.

The interest would be calculated from the day of purchase and paid in every half year. Principals will be paid on April 9, 2039, according to the statement.

The MOF said 10 batches of book-entry treasury bonds would be issued in the second quarter this year.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2009)