Cai Mingzhao, vice minister of the State Council Information Office, delivers a keynote speech at the opening of the 2nd U.S.-China Internet Industry Forum in Shanghai on Friday, November 7, 2008 (Photo from eastday.com)

The fast-growing Internet is playing an irreplaceable role in China's modernization drive and is now accelerating the nation's opening-up and reform, a top government official said Friday in Shanghai.

In his keynote speech at the China-U.S. Internet Industry Forum, Cai Mingzhao, vice minister of the State Council Information Office, cited an example to show the important role of the Internet during major events in China this year, such as the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake and the Beijing Summer Olympic Games in August.

On May 14, less than two days after the devastating quake, an Internet message from a Sichuan girl proved extremely helpful in earthquake relief and rescue operation. The message gave clues to a site that was suitable for airdrops of relief materials and rescuers, and the army relied on her information. They succeeded in airdropping rescuers to Wenchuan and pulled many survivors from the quake debris.

Cai said the Internet and related industries helped boost China's opening up and reform, and are a new engine for the country's social and economic development.

In 2007, the total transaction volume of e-commerce in the country hit 2.14 trillion yuan, marking a growth of 90 percent over the previous year. According to a forecast by the Ministry of Commerce, e-commerce will become the main medium of commerce and about 70 percent of trade will be done through e-commerce in 10 years.

Cai said the number of Internet users in China increases by 240,000 per day, and the Internet population will reach 500 million in about three or four years.

China's Internet market has a huge potential, and Cai hopes enterprises from all over the world would take advantage of the opportunities in the development of China's Internet market and work together for the prosperity and development of the Internet, and its related industries.

Over 100 people from China and the United States are present at the two-day forum.

(Chinadaily.com.cn November 7, 2008)