The added value of China's hi-tech products will reach 800 billion yuan (US$100 billion) this year, two times up compared with that of the year 2000, according to Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

China will encourage the whole society to carry out hi-tech tasks, by improving intellectual property rights, setting up job initiation investment system and strengthening technological renovation, said Zhang here on Wednesday during China's seventh hi-tech fair.

He said in the next five years, China will further promote development of information, biological, new material, aerospace and new energy sciences.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2005)