REGIONAL> Development
117 billion yuan boost given for Fujian information construction
By Hu Meidong and Ding Xueping (China Daily Fujian Bureau)
Updated: 2009-08-24 16:47

The Fujian provincial government signed cooperation agreements with China's three telecom groups on August 19 and August 20 in Beijing.

The three telecom giants—China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom—according to the agreements, will pour 117 billion yuan of investment and purchasing volume into Fujian to jointly promote Fujian's construction of the West Strait Economic Zone.

The Fujian government will cooperate with the three telecom companies to build a favorable developing environment and accelerate development of the West Straits Economic Zone.

Four major areas are highlighted in the agreements: information infrastructure construction, information construction in rural areas, information industry development and information communication between Taiwan and Fujian.

With the signed strategic cooperation agreements, Fujian will build "wireless West Strait cities", ensuring the cities above county levels will all be covered by 2M broadband.

Preferential measures will be adopted to help realize distance education and the informationization of villages and counties. Related information industries, like mobile flash, will be largely promoted following the agreements, and cross-straits cooperation will be achieved, including cross-straits networking.