China could soon lead the world in producing Internet Appliances (IAs), according to senior National Semiconductor executive Roland Andersson.
'We believe that China will be the trendsetter in the 21st century,' said Mr Andersson, who is senior vice-president of worldwide sales at the chipmaker.
He quoted statistics predicting that in 2003 the PC's popularity as an Internet link would be overtaken by devices such as mobile phones and set-top boxes, which turn televisions into Web surfing tools.
By 2005, there would be more than 300 million PCs in use - compared with more than 800 million for all other devices.
The take-up of mobile phones in China was growing extremely quickly, with about three million new mobile-phone subscribers signing on every month, Mr Andersson said.
The nation already produces more than 10 per cent of the world's electronics. China's big domestic market, its strength in manufacturing, and its low-cost labour pool could make it the top country for the creation of IAs, Mr Andersson said.
