Speech by Moftec Vice Minster Zhang Xiang at the Press
Conference of the Third China Beijing International
High-tech Industries Week held by the Information Office of the State Council

Ladies and gentlemen,

The third China Beijing High-tech Industries Week is to be held in May this year. It is a great pleasure for me, on behalf of one of the hosts--the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, to brief you on the implementation of the strategy of "invigorating trade through science and technology" by MOFTEC.

To fulfill the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education and transform China from a big trading country to a strong trading nation, at the beginning of 1999, MOFTEC put forward the strategy of invigorating trade through science and technology, which includes two aspects, i.e., to propel the export of high and new technology products and to transform the traditional export industries through high tech. In the field of improving high-tech exports, MOFTEC, together with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other departments, has formulated the Action Plan of Revitalizing Trade through Science and Technology. It is estimated that our high-tech export for 1999 stood at USD 25billion, demonstrating a growth rate of 25%, which tops the list of all export commodities. Talking about the remolding of traditional export industries utilizing high and new technology, MOFTEC, the State Economic and Trade Commission and relevant agencies have set up a joint working mechanism to assist the upgrading of exports through technological transformation. The export growth for 1999 is expected to reach USD 5billion, rising by 21%. The implementation of the strategy of invigorating trade though science and technology has began to function in driving export. In the new century, we will continue to promote the export of high and new technology products, striving for USD 30billion in high-tech export for this year, i.e. 2000, which will take up to 15% of our export total. We will do well in the utilization of high and new technology with the aim of transforming the traditional export industries and increasing the technology contents and added value in our exports. We will, at the same time, consider establishing export industrial parks for high and new technology products, strengthen the legislation work, attract multinational corporations to open R&D centers in China and push the strategy of revitalizing trade through science and technology into depth.

Not long ago, China and US have reached the bilateral agreement on China's entry into the World Trade Organization, marking an important step towards our accession to the WTO. Joining the WTO is conducive to the advancement of China's reform and opening process and will leave Chinese industrial circles exposed to new opportunities and challenges. To remain invincible in domestic and international competitions, We have to strengthen the competitiveness of our products on home and overseas markets. We should utilize the high-tech results to foster the market, and propel the industrialization and commercialization of high and new technology achievements through the use of market force. The International High-tech Industries Week held in Beijing is just a bridge to connect enterprises and the market. We believe the upcoming third high tech week will, for sure, forcefully give play to Beijing's advantages as the international exchange center and achievements transformation collecting and distributing center of the whole country, play a driving role and take the lead in the development of China's high-tech industries.

As one of the hosts, MOFTEC will join efforts with Beijing Municipality and other departments to bing this session of the international week to a new level, promote the development of China's high-tech industries and improve the high-tech exports of our country.

I thank you all.