The National Information Security Testing Evaluation and Certification Center today established a new branch, the Computer Testing Evaluation Center, in Beijing.

The new branch center will be responsible for testing security problems related to hardware, database systems, application software systems, and network equipment and related systems.

Qu Weizhi, vice-minister of the information industry, noted that discussion of Internet security has become a hot topic recently, but China lags behind in technological development in this regard.

To set up a complete testing evaluation and certification system, the National Information Security Testing Evaluation and Certification Center will establish seven regional branches across the country this year.

Currently, attention should be paid to security problems emerging in computer systems of financial, telecommunications, and e-commerce sectors, said Qu.

To speed up technological development, Qu said, her ministry will also support international cooperation in this field.