The target for China's gold production has been set at 175 tons for 2001, according to an official from the State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC).
The gold industry will witness an eight percent growth in output-value added next year, predicted Wang Dexue, director-general of the Gold Administration under the SETC.
To meet the target, the industry should deepen reform and strive to improve economic efficiency, Monday's Economic Daily quoted Wang as saying.
The industry should be upgraded and advanced technology should be used, he added.
Wang also called for the rapid development of the non-gold business and a focus on geological research.
According to Wang, in 2001, the industry will register a profit of 1.2 billion yuan (US$ 144 million) and nearly all large and medium-sized state companies in the industry will be lifted out of the red.
(Xinhua 11/29/2000)
