China Honors Its WTO Promise to Open Telecom: Minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 03, 2002

China Honors Its WTO Promise to Open Telecom: Minister

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The week-long Telecom Asia Expo 2002 held its opening ceremony in Hong Kong December 2, with Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Chinese Information Industry Minister Wu Jichuan, and Hong Kong SAR Financial Secretary Mr Antony Leung attending.

Mr. Wu noted at the opening ceremony that after two years of adjustment, the world's telecom industry will become more steady and practical and gain real improvement. He also pointed out that the Chinese telecom industry, by acting on the principle of expanding the domestic demand, has experienced reasonable and pragmatic development and reform in recent years, it has not only avoided major ups and downs, but has also achieved a historic leap in its development. At present, the number of subscribers to fixed and mobile phones has amounted to 400mn, leading the world in terms of content, while the internet population has hit 45mn, ranking 3rd in the world.

Mr. Wu held that the technological level of telecom marks the national strength of a country and the driving force for the development of humankind. China will, in line with its promise made for WTO membership, open the telecom industry and welcome telecom operators, equipment manufacturers and investors from around the world to come to China for investment and business operation, the Chinese government will provide them with a fair, just and transparent operational environment.

Public security for yesterday's opening ceremony for the telecom exhibition was not so strict in appearance, but actually it was loose externally and tight internally. As China Telecom lately raised connection charges for long-distance calls, thus made Mr. Wu a target of hot pursuit by reporters. However, he failed to satisfy the correspondents, because throughout the afternoon, he was busy cutting the ribbon, visiting the exhibition hall and attending the opening ceremony with Mr. Tung Chee Hwa. Besides, he was strictly protected, and correspondents were kept beyond a distance of seven-odd meters. Thus, the Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po reported that it was a pity they could only pay respect to the minister at a distance.

Reports also said that Mr. Wu seemed to have a light heart, spending half an hour watching the exhibition and waving to acquainted experts meters away.

By PD Online Staff Zhu Lizhen

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