The "French study assistant" has a 60,000-word vocabulary which covers most of the words in common usage and some professional words. It also has a customary usage section which can download new vocabulary from internet, said Xiao.

In addition, the electronic "assistant" also conjugates verbs and gives pronunciations, which are convenient for users, he added.

Up until now China has made little progress in developing software for French language studies. French textbooks and study material are also in short supply, experts say.

With the deepening of its reform and opening to the outside world, China needs more people skilled in French speaking and writing. This French-Chinese electronic dictionary will assist people to study and speak French more easily.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2002)