Golden Projects
Cumulative end-user spending on these projects may range between $1 billion to nearly $3.5 billion through the year 2000, according to a Commerce Department report. The projects provide investment opportunities for foreign companies since each project must finds its own hardware and software suppliers.
Following is an outline of projects that could indeed create a golden opportunity for high-tech firms that produce and trade with China.
Golden Bridge
First announced in March 1993, the Golden Bridge Project is China's version
of the information superhighway. The network will be constructed across
China, and will ultimately incorporate all of China's information systems
efforts, according to the Chinese Ministry of Electronics Industry. The backbone
of Golden Bridge will be interconnected space satellite and ground fiber
optic networks linked to a domestic private network. Apart from providing
Internet access, the system will allow email, electronic data interchange,
database online services, information sources, and applications service
systems.
"helvetica"="" size="-1">Major vendors involved: Bell South, Cisco, Hughes, IBM, Scientific Atlanta, Intel, and Sun Microsystems
Golden Card
This project began in 1995 to create a countrywide banking and credit card
system. Its goal is to use telecom networks to replace cash transactions
with an electronic systems for savings, withdrawals, and payments. The
plan reportedly will deliver 300 million credit/cash cards to 300 million
people in 400 urban areas by the year 2005. The project is currently
operating pilot programs in 12 cities and provinces.
"helvetica"="" size="-1">Major vendors involved: IBM, Ameritech, General Electric, and Tandem
"helvetica"="" size="-1">Vendors that may receive contracts: AST Research, Compaq, Digital
Equipment, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, NCR, Novell, and Stratus
Golden Customs
This initiative will connect foreign trade companies with banks and China's
customs and tax offices. The project aims to create paperless trading by
automating customs checks and eliminate cash transactions for international
trade. It will feature email, electronic data interchange (EDI), and an
electronic post office.
Golden Tax
This initiative, cosponsored by the Ministry of Finance and the People's
Bank of China, plans to spend more than $1.2 billion to computerize the tax
collection system. According to the Commerce Department, the government
has already finished the first phase which built and linked the Beijing
main audit center to 795 local tax offices in 50 large cities via a
satellite network. The system will be expanded to include 400 cities in
4000 districts and counties.
"helvetica"="" size="-1">Major vendors involved: AST Research Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM