China must seize the rare opportunity offered by Internet to promote its modernization drive, and promote national economy and social life through information upgrading, a senior Chinese official announced in Beijing on Thursday.
Zhao Qizheng, Director of the State Council Information Office, affirmed that once lost, the unique chances will never repeat.

Speaking at the opening of the 2001 Beijing Internet Development Forum, Zhao noted that Internet-led information epoch has come, in disregard of one's willingness or preparation.

Anyone or any country failing to use Internet will be lagging behind of others, he said, adding he was sure that Internet is one of the advanced social product forces bringing fundamental changes to the world.

The two-day seminar was organized the Information Office of the Beijing Municipal People's Government and beijingnews.com.cn seeking ways to widen co-operation between Chinese Internet operators and better utilize Internet technologies.

Zhao noted that the true value of the Internet lies in its combination with and upgrading of traditional industries.

Currently, he said, China holds some 26.5 million Internet users by last June, a huge jump of the 100,000 web surfers five years ago.

Zhao reiterated he was sure China's Internet market will be colossal, predicting that there will be more than 30 million web users by the end of 2003 and about 200 million around the year 2005.

The director admitted China's Internet business has a lot way to go as the country's banking and credit system, and relevant rules on Internet are still incomplete.

Zhao also called for more co-operation with the outside world on Internet business.

The seminar drew some 300 participants from nationwide.