China highly valued the achievements and contributions made by its 54 state-level economic and technological development zones since their establishment across the country one by one as from 1984.

At a meeting held recently in east China's Suzhou City, officials reviewed the progress of the zones made in the two decades.

They said that these zones introduce overseas investment, technology and management expertise and help upgrade industrial structure, technological innovation and urban construction.

They were also applauded for playing an active role in helping enhance the country's exports, and in offering vast job opportunities.

The zones have been honored as new strengths for economic growth, locally and nationally, partly because they are home to a large number of hi-tech businesses.

The zones reported an annual GDP rise of 41.36 percent during the past two decades, nearly 32 percentage points higher than the national GDP growth average.

Use of overseas investment in the zones amounted to US$58 billion from 1984 to 2004, sharing 11.57 percent of the total flowing into the country and leading to the establishment of 11,600 overseas-funded enterprises within, accounting for 70 percent of the total number nationwide.

Nearly half of sedans manufactured in China were rolled out from the zones, which also accounted for 37.3 percent of mobile phones made in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2004)