October 2003 updates

CHINA: A golden October for Chinese ICT industry
By Huixin Ke in Beijing, China. October 2003

The ICT sector in China saw significant breakthroughs in infrastructure construction and growth in the Internet content industry in October.

Telephone users breach 500 million mark

According to the Ministry of Information Industry, the total number of telephone users in China broke through the 500 million mark and reached 500.442 million in October. This total comprises 250.468 million fixed-line telephone subscribers and 249.974 million mobile phone users http://www.mii.gov.cn.

Partnerships with Hong Kong

The Chinese Central Government and the Special District Government of Hong Kong signed the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement to promote and coordinate development in both areas. The arrangement allows service providers in Hong Kong to set up joint ventures after 1 October 2003 and undertake five additional telecom businesses including: Internet data centre, data storage and transmission, call centre, Internet connection and information services http://www.mii.gov.cn.

CINIC and TOM.com collaboration

The China Internet Network Information Centre established strategic collaboration with TOM.com, involving the latter's Chinese domain name services aimed at facilitating quick access among new Netizens in Southeast Asia http://www.mii.gov.cn.

Largest grid

IBM and the Ministry of Education announced their joint adoption of grid technology to advance cooperation in education, scientific research and other areas among colleges and universities in China. The China Education and Research Grid will be one of the largest grids in the world http://www.cnw.com.cn. Its first phase is expected to be completed by 2005.

Network media gearing up for change

The 2003 Forum on Network Media of China was held in Beijing on 10 and 11 October. Participants in the forum adopted the Social Responsibility of Network Media of China - Beijing Declaration to signal that Chinese network media is gearing up for a new phase of fast and rational development http://www.people.com.cn/GB/14677/22114/30056/.

First ICEE

The Ministry of Culture and the Beijing Municipal Government jointly organized the First Internet Content and Entertainment Expo (ICEE) at the China Millennium Monument from 23-26 October. The theme of the expo was Internet cultural development to "enrich Internet content market and develop information and cultural industry". The expo showcased Internet-based games, music, videos, cartoons and animation, as well as Internet content management http://www.icee.com.cn.