China says it plans to basically modernize its air traffic control system in the first two decades of this century.

Chinese Vice-Premier Huang Ju made the remarks on Sunday when addressing the country's first national meeting on air traffic control.

The Vice-Premier said China would strive to make major progress in upgrading the country's infrastructure for the air traffic control sector, and improve the relevant laws and regulations on air traffic control. He noted that this will contribute more and have a greater bearing on the country's economic development, national defense and the aviation sector.

China's air corridors are becoming more and more busy due to growing numbers of flights, and officials say it remains an urgent task for the country to improve the way it regulates its air traffic.

(CRI May 31, 2004)