Wu Jichuan said in the opening speech to a symposium on e-commerce and paperless trading held by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), that the development of the information industry will help China double its national economic growth rate. Some 250 officials, entrepreneurs and experts from 20 APEC members are attending the symposium.

By 2005, the information industrial output should double the current level, accounting for eight percent of China's gross national product. And by 2010, the output should be four times the current level, said the minister.

To reach that target, the minister said the country will update its current nationwide computer network, encourage new technological inventions, promote the use of information technology and network technology in various areas, make new laws and regulations guiding the growth of the information industry, and use more overseas investment in the sector.

In particular, Wu said the Chinese Government will, in accordance with its commitments concerning its accession to the World Trade Organization, encourage more overseas and domestic investors to enter the telecommunications market.

The information industry grew at 28.8 percent on average over the past five years. The total number of regular and mobile telephone subscribers in the country reached 230 million.

(Xinhua 02/09/2001)