Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, speaking Friday at the Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), reiterated that computer technology will improve business efficiency and overall productivity.

China's top business leaders and CEOs are gathering in Shanghai to attend the conference. Gates met with the CEOs to discuss how Chinese companies can utilize emerging technology, even in challenging economic times, so they can become flexible and agile in responding to their customers needs.

The key issue is to make better products for consumers with the same or even lower prices and consumers will buy products which are exciting and worthwhile, said Gates in his response to questions asked by Yang Yuanqing, president of the Legend Group, China's largest PC manufacturer.

Personal computers will still stand at the core position in future networks and it is still a field worth long-term investment, he said.

Microsoft is giving more and more attention to the Chinese market, which is contributing increasingly more revenue and still shows a strong growth tendency, said Gates.

Microsoft applies world standards to its products and close cooperation with local manufacturers is equally important as providing personalized service for end users, he said.

Famous leaders in the information technology industry including Wang Zhiti, board chairman of the Great Wall Computer Corporation Group, and Li Dongsheng, chairman and president of the TCL Group attended the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency 10/19/2001)