Timms -- For ICT, think China!

M2 PRESSWIRE-5 July 2002-UK Government: Timms -- For ICT, think China! (C)1994-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:07052002

Stephen Timms, making his first overseas visit next week as E-commerce Minister to China and Hong Kong, today called for the UK's Information Communication Technology and e-commerce companies to consider China as a market with real potential and growth.

Stephen Timms was speaking just before his five days of talks with Chinese and Hong Kong Government and industry leaders.

He said: "China is rapidly becoming a digital dragon. It has the largest mobile phone market in the world with over 170 million subscribers.

Internet subscribers have risen by over 300% in the past year and its economic growth is over 7%. Last year UK ICT exports to China were worth almost GBP400m, over double the previous years exports."

"I think it is highly appropriate that my first overseas visit is to China. Following their entry to the World Trade Organisation, China is becoming more open for business. And our strength in areas such as electronic design, digital content, mobile communications and digital TV match the needs of the Chinese market."

Stephen Timms is visiting China from 7th to 12th July, travelling to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. During his visit he will be having talks with senior Chinese Ministers on ICT policy issues such as technology standards and will visit leading Chinese ICT companies to promote the UK as the ideal location for companies looking to enter the European market. He will also meet UK companies already investing in China. He continued: "We need to raise the profile of the UK ICT's sector in China. In some areas, such as mobile communications and digital TV technology, it is the UK and Europe who are world leaders. With our world class R&D base, our highly skilled labour and our competitive market, we are the ideal location for China's blossoming ICT industry. But we need to work hard to get this message home. "

Notes to Editors

1. As a result of WTO accession negotiations, China has agreed to open significantly part of its telecommunications market.

Non-Chinese firms will be able to hold a 25% share of operations in mobile telephony on accession rising to 35% one year later and 49% three years after China joins WTO. Foreign firms will also be allowed to provide private lease circuits to businesses and throughout China internationally.

2. Trade Minister Patricia Hewitt signed a memorandum of Understanding with Minister Wu Jichuan on 9 October 2001 on cooperation between the UK and China on a range of telecommunications and e-commerce areas such as Digital TV, 3G communications and broadband technology.

CONTACT: Public Enquiries, Department of Trade and Industry Tel: +44 (0)20 7215 5000 WWW: http://www.dti.gov.uk

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