China is to set up five software export bases across the country, as it is expecting a great leap in the software business, an official said Tuesday.

The plan includes the eastern commercial hub of Shanghai, the northeastern coastal city of Dalian, the southern port city of Shenzhen, the northern municipality of Tianjin and the northwestern inland city of Xi'an.

It was jointly launched by the State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Information Industry and Ministry of Commerce.

The State Council and local governments will grant preferential policies for the establishment of the bases regarding skilled people, technology and capital, as they are expecting these five bases to promote the development of the whole industry.

China's software exports have witnessed a rapid growth in the past few years -- worth US$1.5 billion in 2002, as compared to US$2 billion --worth in 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency, January 7, 2004)