Guangzhou is to introduce and industrialize a number of sci-tech projects, particularly in nano-technology, in 2004.

Mayor Lin Yuanhe told a sci-tech work conference Friday that the projects would drive a new round of economic growth in Guangzhou.

Guangzhou's government had supported 50 nano-tech related products in past years with an investment of 37.5 million yuan (US$4.5m). A nano-tech project undertaken by the Guangzhou Chemistry Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences aims to effectively solve white pollution problems.

Guangzhou had formed a photoelectric industry cluster with LED, LCD and CD production as a core through a three-year effort in its Photo Valley construction.

More than 150 enterprises had been engaged in the photo-related industry and generated production volume of 15 billion yuan.

Lin said the construction of an integrated circuit design project with an investment of 186 million yuan would start soon. An 8-inch chip production line, the first in southern China, would be set up by the end of the year.

Lin said sci-tech applications had become the driving force in economic growth in Guangzhou, contributing to 50 percent of industrial development in 2003.

Editor: Donald