Technological progress has played a key role in the rapid development of China's shipbuilding industry, said Zhang Guangqin, deputy director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council.

China is already capable of designing and building by itself 300,000-ton VLCCs (very large crude carrier) and 8,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equipment Unit) container ships and has successfully embarked on the construction of LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier, breaking the monopoly by some few countries.

Except for a few types such as luxury cruse ships, China now can build ships that are in accordance with all international norms and can navigate all waters. China has reached or surpassed world advanced level in the manufacturing of marine diesel engine, and products have been used on exported ships and domestic ocean ships in large amounts.

In terms of marine equipment, China has developed and manufactured floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels and offshore platforms of multiple types.

From 2000 to 2004, China's shipbuilding output saw an annual average growth of 26 percent. In 2004, it reached 8.8 million deadweight tons (DWT), accounting for 14 percent of the world's total and was at the world's third place for the tenth consecutive year. It is predicted that the output can exceed 10 million DWTs for the firs time this year as 18 percent of the world.

70 percent of China-made ships are for export, to over 110 countries and regions including developed countries such as United States, Japan, Germany, France and Canada. Shipbuilding industry has become a pillar for export in China's mechanical and electric industries.

In 2004, China's ship export reached 5.6 million DWTs and US$3.16 billion in value. Now 85 percent of the orders at hand are for export.

Source: People's Daily