BEIJING - The Ministry of Finance said Friday that it will sell 28 billion yuan ($4.44 billion) in 20-year book-entry treasury bonds next week, marking the sixth such issuance this year.

The bonds will carry an annual interest rate of 4.03 percent, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Interest will be paid every six months starting April 23, while the principal will be paid upon maturity on April 23, 2032, the ministry said.

A three-day sales period for the bonds will run from April 23 to 25, and the bonds will become tradable on securities markets on April 27, the ministry said.