Nearly 600 people from China's high-profile scientific academies, medical science research institutes, pharmaceutical plants and hospitals gathered in Changchun Sunday to discuss the development of China's medical industry after entry to the World Trade Organization.

Participants will exchange views on a series of important topics concerning the world economy, the impact of market changes on the medical industry, adjustments to policies on the medical industry and standardized management, and modern scientific and technological advancements.

The medical industry has become one if the world's fastest growing industries in recent years. According to statistics, pharmaceutical sales have grown by an average eight to 10 percent yearly over the past decade.

The total output value of China's medical industry has risen by 17.5 percent on a yearly basis. China reported an output value of 233.2 billion yuan (US$28.09 billion) in 2000.

China has kicked off a project which aims to speed up the modernization and internationalization of the traditional Chinese medical industry through science and technology.

Other activities such as an exhibition of new medical scientific and technological achievements and a trade fair for luring investment will also be staged during the coming three days.

The forum was jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and Changchun City Government.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2002)