China is set to become the major driving force in the biotechnology industry in Asia, an international forum was told at its opening Monday in Taipei.

Experts from the world-renowned biotech periodical, Nature, told the forum that the biotechnology industry in Asia was generally weak in infrastructure and development capacity, but China was likely to lead the industry in this region.

They said that China was potentially the largest pharmaceuticalmarket in Asia, and it was strong in pharmaceutical research.

The three-day forum will focus on applied science and technology in the biotech industry, including the development of Chinese herbal medicine, and the release of the latest information.

Participants include Doctor Antonine from Nature and experts from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

(People's Daily June 25, 2002)