Internet development boosts China's social, economic growth

The rapid development of the Internet in China has fueled the country's social and economic growth, Xi Guohua, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology said in his remarks at the opening day of the 2010 Internet Conference in Beijing.

Xi noted that the Internet industry has made tremendous growth and become a major driving force for China's economic development. According to statistics, the Internet market in China last year totaled 183.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 32 percent and is one the industries that has recorded positive growth.

The Internet has expanded to every aspect of social life and pushed forward the upgrade of economic restructuring. The development of the Internet also promotes the industrial transition of economic production and green manufacturing. Meanwhile, it boosts the growth of modern logistics, e-commerce, cyber-banking, long-distance medical treatment and community service.

The Internet promotes government administration, public service and social undertakings. At present, 98.5 percent of central government departments at the provincial level and 95 percent of township-level governments have opened Web sites providing services for industrial and commercial registration, tax declaration as well as social welfare.

Meanwhile, the Internet has also become a major channel for the Party and the government to understand social conditions and public opinions, to pool public wisdom, encourage public participation as well as improve public service.

The overall strength of the Internet is on the rise, becoming a major channel for cultural communication. The Internet not only serves as a disseminator of information, but also a key platform for the creation, production and consumption of cultural products, giving birth to Internet culture.

The Internet serves the people and becomes an indispensable part of people's life. Ordinary people benefit from the vigorous development of e-commerce, online media, network communication, cyber community as well as cyber entertainment.

Xi noted that Internet would maintain the momentum of fast development in the future, and have further development and larger influence.

"The development of innovation will further promote the value of the Internet, and it will have more profound impact on everyone's lives," Xi said.

By Zhang Xinyi, People's Daily Online