China's self-developed geographic information system (GIS) technology has been widely used in the spheres of land survey, mineral exploitation, water conservancy and many other aspects, resulting in 400 billion yuan (US$53.29 billion) in aggregate output value.

China's geographic information industry has registered 400 billion yuan (US$53.29 billion) in aggregate output value last year and hired more than 300,000 people, according to Zhong Ershun, deputy president of the China Association for Geographic Information System.

He said that nearly 20,000 domestic enterprises were estimated to have engaged in the industry, with 2,000 being specialized ones.

Chen Ying, deputy director of the Information Product Department of the Ministry of Information Industry, attributed the industry's rapid expansion to the country's robust economic development on the whole and the rising capital input from both government and companies.

Between 2001 and 2005, more than 20 million yuan (US$2.66 million) has been earmarked by the Ministry of Information Industry as a special fund to bankroll the development and application of domestic software for geographic information system.

Zhong said that self-developed GIS technology has already reached the world's leading levels and been put to use in many spheres including land survey, mineral exploitation, water conservancy, environmental protection, power generation, mapping, telecommunication as well as the management for the public goods and civil services.

(Xinhua News Agency October 5, 2007)