China's Internet Economy to Expand in 21st Century: ExpertsChina's Internet economy will expand rapidly in the 21st century if the country takes advantage of the net's potential and adopts right policies, said experts participating in an ongoing international conference in Beijing."China can share advanced but inexpensive technology, fully utilize potential advantages, catch up with and exceed the cutting edge of advanced technology and promote the modernization of China 's economy," said Liu He, executive deputy director of the State Information Center. The country should rethink its development strategy for the software industry and enhance its international competitiveness, Liu told the 21st Century Forum -- Conference 2000, which was hosted by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Liu said that in the process of promoting the development of the network economy, "China should concentrate on taking a path different from that of the United States." For example, China can rely on the Internet to promote the development of the western region of China, improve the quality of professional staff there through long-distance education and step up efforts to develop some distinctive data banks so that the western region is closely linked with the world economy. Liu added that China "should use as much new information and network technology as possible and build new digitalized cities as soon as possible." On the basis of international cooperation, the country should continue to develop its own intellectual property and standards for building an information infrastructure for its economy. "China can take a distinctive road to create its own information system which conforms to international practice," Liu stressed. Duan Yongji, president of the Stone Group, a Beijng-based information technology enterprise, held that the new economy characterized by information, knowledge and the Internet will eventually need new rules of governance. It will also provide a chance for "re-shuffling," Duan said. As long as China seizes the opportunities, it will gradually shorten the distance between its existing capabilities and advanced levels. Duan also called on the information industry businesses to sort out the structural flaws and establish a scientific business management system. In his speech to the conference, Richard Li, chairman of the Hong Kong Pacific Century Group, noted that human resources will play a vital role in future competitions. It's very encouraging that the Chinese government has begun to implement its strategy of revitalizing the nation through science, technology and education, he said. This, along with the liberalization in the telecommunications sector and reform measures to encourage competition, will benefit the development of China's Internet economy, he noted. |
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