"The non-State-owned sector is projected to contribute three- fourths of China's GDP in five years, when at least 70 per cent of the country's firms will be privately owned," the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences predicted in its annual report.

While the private sector lurked in the shadows only a quarter-century ago, its current high profile is a testament to the country's support policies, but more equitable treatment is needed, industry representatives said at a seminar to mark the release of the report.

Based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the "Blue Book of the Non-State-Owned Economy" revised earlier estimates that domestic private businesses have contributed one-third to China's GDP in recent years.

The latest findings raised their contribution to 50 per cent last year. They also provided eight out of 10 new jobs in non-agricultural sectors.

If the quantum contributed by overseas-funded ventures is added, the private economy accounted for roughly 65 per cent of the national economy in 2005 and the ratio is expected to jump to 75 per cent by 2010, the report says.

Private enterprises have proliferated, especially in recent years, when the government set out constitutional guarantees and policy incentives to buoy the healthy development of the sector and protect the property of entrepreneurs.

As a result, they have galloped into industries once dominated by State-owned enterprises.

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