Computer games do not normally fall under the category of national interest but they are in China. Two projects on computer game research have been enlisted into China's "863" project. It's the very first time computer game technology has become the subject of national scientific research.

Five million RMB, or US$620,000, have been invested into these two projects. With the popularity of Internet, computer games have become an industry. Last year, computer games pulled in earnings of RMB 910 million, or US$110 million. And it also helped contribute RMB 7 billion, about US$870 million to the telecommunications industry. Li Wuqiang, deputy department chief with the  Ministry of Science and Technology explains.

"The projects will focus on the engine of computer games, which is just like a car engine. With the engine, we can make more games more quickly," said Li Wuqiang.

In Japan, South Korea and America, computer games have already created large profits for the countries. In Japan, computer game profits surpassed that of the iron and steel industry. In South Korea, it's more profitable than the auto industry. And in America, it's gone beyond the film industry. It's hoped China's investment in the computer games industry will help it better serve the users and earn greater profits.

(CCTV.com September 1, 2003)