China's procurement delegation has signed 11 deals worth some 2 billion U.S. dollars in Britain, the final leg of its four-nation European tour.

Visiting Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming said that no country could stand alone without engaging with others in a globalized society and suggested that an open market and collaboration were the only alternatives.

"The key point to fight against the crisis and get out of the difficulties is to boost our confidence, which comes from cooperation. Entrepreneurs from both China and Britain have many opportunities and are complementary in bilateral trade and investment. I believe their cooperation will boost the confidence of people around the world."

Chen said another group of Chinese businesspeople would visit Britain in a week's time to explore trade and investment opportunities.

Peter Mandelson, British Secretary for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, hailed China as a major engine in the global economy.

"This great mission being led by Minister Chen Deming signals China's central place in our economic present and future. China is a major engine in the global economy as well as the United Kingdom's fastest growing trade partner. UK-China trade has grown in a double-figures during the last decade."

The 2-billion-dollar-deal is part of an overall package of procurement arrangements worth 15 billion dollars between China and four European countries, namely Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Britain.

The four-nation trip is a follow-up to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's latest "tour of confidence," during which both China and Britain agreed to push their bilateral trade to 60 billion dollars by 2010.