THE emerging ''information society'' in China is proof enough of the country's advancing economy.
As service industries gain prominence, so too does the need for fast, convenient, cheap communication resources, especially in the areas of voice, text, data and image transmission.
China's growing division of labour and the associated decentralisation, coupled with the growing interdependence of national economies, has led to an unprecedented volume of interest and investment.
In recent years, Beijing has become aware that telecommunication based on global public networks is now one of the most vital aspects of international competition, and forms the core infrastructure for productivity and economic growth.
''There has been a definite surge of telecommunications development in China since the '80s,'' said Maurice Vallat, local representative of French telecommunications giant Alcatel.
''Although China opened up to foreign investment in 1979, it was not until a year ago that telecommunications acquired such high priority,'' he said.