Chinese export of hi-tech products will be out of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) shadow and back to high growth in three months, said a senior trade official Friday.
China exported US$35.75 billion worth of hi-tech products in the first five months of 2003, soaring 55.1 percent year-on-year, said Wei Jianguo, vice-minister of commerce at a news conference for the fifth China Hi-Tech Fair 2003.
The export of such products were influenced by the SARS epidemic to some extent but the negative impact will be eliminated in two or three months, Wei said.
As opposed to other commodities, Wei said hi-tech products, including computers, mobile phones, video and audio facilities, were less reliant on exhibition which was severely affected by SARS disease.
That helped the manufacture and export of such products overcome the damage of SARS.
China's strategy of promoting trade through enhancing science and technology also facilitated the export growth of such products, he said.
China exported US$67.8 billion worth of hi-tech products in 2002, up 40.6 percent year-on-year and such products become the second most valuable export sector in the country, he said.
In the coming months, the export of such products will maintain high growth, but lower than growth in the first five months Wei said.
The fifth China Hi-Tech Fair 2003, one of China's major hi-tech product trade fair will be held in south China's Shenzhen city from Oct. 12 to Oct. 17, featuring trade of hi-tech products, technologies and related forums.
(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2003)
