The Chinese government has outlined plans to encourage technological innovation and to break down obstacles to the development of the country's information industry.

 

The 11th-Five Year Plan and Long-and Medium-Term Outline of the Development of the Information Industry published on Tuesday lists 13 key fields for development.

 

The information industry was a priority in developing national innovation as it was a driving force of sustainable economic growth, said Wang Xudong, Minister of Information Industry, at a national meeting on innovation in the information industry on Tuesday.

 

The 13 fields include integrated circuitry, software and new electronic components, which are strategic and basic science and technology fields currently restraining the industry's development, said a senior official with the Ministry of Information Industry.

 

The official said the campaign would aim to strengthen the foundation of the information industry by developing key technologies and holding core patents and standards in these fields.

 

The consolidation of communication, broadcast and television, and Internet networks into a complete information industry chain would be achieved by developing high definition television, wideband mobile communication, next generation networks, network and information security, and home network and intelligent terminals.

 

The added value of information industry totaled 1.32 trillion yuan (US$165 billion) last year, accounting for 7.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

 

Wang said Chinese enterprises should improve cooperation with transnational corporations and spur innovation efforts in the information industry on the open market.

 

China should also set about completing its auto computing and agricultural information platforms, intelligent transportation system, information industry service platform and scientific study results transformation system.

 

China produces more than 30 electronic and information products, such as mobile phones, personal computers, color TVs, but using foreign core technologies. Less than 10 percent of exports carry local brands.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)