The Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on China's Joining the Development Gateway Foundation & Press Conference for Launching the China Development Gateway was held at the Press Hall of the State Council Information Office on May 28. Present at the signing ceremony and press conference were President of the World Bank James D. Wolfensohn, Chinese Minister of Finance Xiang Huaicheng, and Minister of the State Council Information Office Zhao Qizheng.

The Development Gateway Foundation, initiated by the World Bank at the end of 2001, aims to reduce poverty and promote sustained development through applying information network technology. Wolfensohn and Xiang signed the Memorandum of Understanding on China's joining the Foundation as a founding member of its Board. This will facilitate China's using network technology to enhance international exchanges and cooperation.

Following the signing ceremony, Wolfensohn and Zhao Qizheng clicked to open the China Development Gateway (chinagate.com.cn). As an integral partner of the World Bank's Development Gateway portal network, China Development Gateway was established by the China Internet Information Center under the auspices of the Chinese Ministry of Finance, State Council Information Office and the World Bank with cooperation from organizations including the China International Publishing Group, China Daily Online and Shanghai Universal Information Technology Co., Ltd. Its purpose is to introduce China to the world, share experience on development efforts and serve international cooperation.

Minister of Finance Xiang Huaicheng said while addressing the meeting that China's joining the Development Gateway Foundation and the launch of the China Development Gateway will contribute to eliminating poverty, bridging the "digital divide" and promoting common development.

Minister of State Council Information Office Zhao Qizheng urged the China Development Gateway to develop its own characteristics as a window on China to the world.

World Bank President Wolfensohn said that China's commitment to the Development Gateway Foundation and the launch of the China Development Gateway are "major milestones." The website will help China share knowledge and establish relations with the world -- serving not only Chinese people but also people from around the world, Wolfensohn said.

More than 120 people including leaders of the Chinese ministries concerned, journalists and representatives of international institutions in Beijing attended the meeting.

(china.org.cn May 28, 2002)