How to seize opportunities and make rapid development is a key problem that China's Ministry of Information Industry is facing in the coming five to ten years. Therefore, China must strive to make breakthrough in bandwidth, key technology and applicable information technology, said Wu Jichuan, minister of Information Industry, in Beijing on April 22.

Wu made the remark when attending the opening ceremony of the 2002 annual conference of the Global Information Infrastructure Commission (GIIC). Despite the current large-scale and enhanced technology in China's information industry, he noted there still exist a big gap between China and other advanced countries in terms of the information level. Only when an advanced, flexible and safe information infrastructure with large capacity is established, he said, can a breakthrough be made in bandwidth.

First breakthrough---bandwidth

According to the requirement of combination of three nets, the smooth transition and upgrade of the Internet can bring about a wide-band and high-speed public information net with combination of sound, data and video to meet the demand of fundamental information business and all kinds of multi-media businesses.

Second---key technology

As for the key technology, Wu said it is expected to set up a creative, appropriately organized, profitable and competitive research and production mechanism. Enterprises are encouraged to invest more to conduct research and improve research ability.

Third---information sharing

Wu also indicated coordination of nets and information sharing are important for applicable use of information technology. The establishment and improvement of the information systems in all departments and industries are expected to take a fast speed and all kinds of public database are encouraged to develop further to realize information sharing.

The Global Information Infrastructure Commission was established in 1995 with an aim to popularize and develop public information nets. The theme of the 2002 annual conference held in Beijing is "Information Provides Impetus to Industrialization".

(People's Daily April 23, 2002)