China will continue to use information technology to help upgrade its traditional industries and restructure the economy, a senior official said Wednesday.

Qu Weizhi, vice-minister of the Ministry of Information Industry, said at a national working conference that information technology has played a vital role in upgrading industrial technology and will be widely used in areas such as finance, trade and telecommunications.

China plans to make 80 percent of government departments and local branches publicize information on the internet this year.

The State Economic and Trade Commission, China Telecom and more than 30 other government departments jointly initiated this program last year. About 60 percent of government departments and branches have their own websites.

Qu also pointed out the difficulties in promoting information technology due to the lack of funds and qualified personnel.