The State Administration for Industry and Commerce announced Thursday that private enterprises will be encouraged to enter some of the country's previously state-owned sectors -- including power, telecommunications, rail and civil aviation.

The administration distributed a notice to the administration's local branches instructing them to support private companies to fund and operate projects in the sectors.

The administration said it will continue to broaden access for private enterprises in other monopoly businesses where private funding is not prohibited by law.

The notice came following an earlier decision by the State Council, or the country's cabinet, to encourage the development of both public and private economic sectors.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2005)