First proposed by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, formerly the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, the system is a major information technology project of the 10th provincial Five-Year (2001-2005) Plan.

A trans-Pacific network, the system has so far established three websites, in Shandong, Canada and the United States. The main site, based in Shandong, comprises nine categories such as policy guidelines, statutes, investment information, personnel exchanges, enterprise introductions, fine-quality and brand products, as well tourism development and transport business.

Online trade fairs will be held by the website to invite investment and exhibit products from the two regions, according to Jiang Fuqu, director of the Shandong provincial information center.

People can surf "www.sdna-link.com" to get a general survey of North America and Shandong Province, as well as the relevant cultural, scientific and tourism information.

(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 2003)