China Opens More High-tech Parks to APEC MembersAnother five new high-tech industrial parks in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Yangling and Chengdu are now open to other members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a Chinese official announced in Beijing Tuesday.An official with the Ministry of Science and Technology said the move, which was approved recently by the Chinese government, was designed to increase cooperation between APEC members in finance, scientific and technological endeavors. The new parks were the result of a decision of the Chinese government in 1998 to open five high-tech industrial parks in Beijing, Suzhou, Xi'an, Hefei and Yantai from among its 53 State-level ones to expand cooperation with other APEC economies. The Chinese government made the decision to promote the cooperation with other APEC economies as advocated by Chinese President Jiang Zemin at the fourth informal meeting of APEC leadership in November 25, 1996. At the meeting, President Jiang proposed that a science and technology industrial parks network be set up within the APEC with a view to promoting exchanges of experience and information and to "accelerate the momentum of integrating science and technology with the economy." The organization promotes free trade and other forms of cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific. |
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