Xi Guohua, vice-minister of the Information Industry, said wireless frequencies were vital to ensure the safety of civil aviation, which was directly linked to the safety of people and property.

However, with the increased use of wireless stations, airports, airlines and flights, wireless frequencies for civil aviation were at greater risk of becoming overloaded.

He said the illegal use of high power wireless phones, unregulated broadcasting, TV stations and wireless beeper stations, and inappropriate use of civil aviation equipment represented the main causes of overloading or jamming.

In recent years relevant administrations in China have made concerted efforts to regulate beeper stations and hi-power wireless phones, with good results.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2003)