In 2001, the information technology industry's added value accounted for 4.2 percent of China's gross domestic product (GDP).Exports by the sector totaled 65 billion U.S. dollars, making up 24 percent of the country's total, Gou said at the third Asia-Pacific region urban informatization forum held here recently.

China now boasts the largest and one of the most advanced telephone networks in the world. It has 190 million fixed telephone lines and 160 million mobile phone links, and both the fixed and mobile systems have been digitized.

The development of the information technology industry had not only contributed to China's economic growth, but strongly supported the informatization of government, business and society in China, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2002)