CRI听力:Chinese High Tech Exports See Significant Increase: Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank has unveiled its Asian Economic Integration Report 2015.

The report says that in 2014, Chinese products accounted for 43.7% of Asia's high tech exports, such as spacecraft, telecommunication equipment, medical and precision instruments. The figure is a drastic increase from 9.4% in the year 2000.

Meanwhile, low tech products accounted for 41% of China's total exports in 2000. That figured dropped to 28% in 2014.

Analyst from the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation Mei Xinyu says the trend is not beyond expectations.

"The change in the ratios should be considered normal. It is a reflection of the upgrades in China's industrial structure. China's equipment manufacturing output had already accounted for a third of the global total by 2013. The current trend is a combined result of China's industrial growth, improved human resources, and our market advantages.

The report also showed that in comparison, Japan's share in Asia's high tech exports dropped from over 25% in 2000 to 7.7% last year. Shares of southeast Asian countries also saw decreases.

However, Chen Fengying with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations says the growth does not necessarily mean China has become a global power in the high tech sector.

"Core technology is key, and China still relies on imports when it comes to core technologies. Another important factor is brand names. We do the R&D here, we export the products here, but many brand names are not homegrown. We need breakthroughs in homegrown core technologies."

China's 13th Five-Year Plan, which starts next year, aims to further upgrade its industrial capacity by integrating information technology into its manufacturing sector.

Mei Xinyu forecasts a bright future for China's high tech production capacity.

"We have accumulated 10 years or even 20 years of experiences in the advanced manufacturing sector. China has also built the world's largest and most complete production chain. In this particular area, China may overtake some more developed countries in the future. "

The Asian Economic Integration Report is an annual analysis of economic cooperation and integration in Asia. It studies 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank. This year's report also includes a special chapter, focusing on the positive impact of Special Economic Zones in facilitating trade and economic development.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.