The IT industry is likely to drive the successful development of Chinese enterprises within world markets, said officials from Development Research Center (DRC) of the State Council.

"The IT industry, after decades of development and tough market competition, is now fully-fledged to begin its transnational development," said Zhang Wenkui, vice director of DRC's Enterprise Economic Research Institute, while addressing the Cross-straits Entrepreneur Development Forum on the sideline of the Fourth China Suzhou Electronics Manufacturing Exposition (EMEX), which kicked off on last Tuesday in Suzhou.

According to Zhang, compared with several other pillar industries in China which either rely on government support or energy monopolization, the Chinese IT industry has become more mature in terms of advanced technology, strategic management and global market competition. This is a reason why Chinese IT firms are growing so rapidly.

Enoch Du, General Secretary of Taiwan Computer Association (TCA), pointed out during a recent press release that with a mature industry chain, the Chinese mainland has provided IT enterprises with not only a solid manufacturing base, but also a huge market.

"Both these factors have ensured the rapid and healthy growth of Chinese IT firms and made them strong enough to join the world market," said Du.

(China Daily October 24, 2005)