The nationwide survey that took place from August to October involved enterprises in many sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, construction, transportation, telecommunications, real estate and social services.

According to the survey, 48.1 per cent of the 4,695 respondents believed that the country's WTO entry will bring little change to their businesses, 37.9 per cent predicted a booming future, and only 14 per cent thought the outlook was grim.

Many of the respondents in the textile, garment and catering industries expressed optimism in contrast to the more gloomy feeling in the instrument and meter manufacturing, wholesale and retail industries.

To prepare for the WTO entry, 46.7 per cent of the respondents said they would speed up talent introduction and training.

Some 41.2 per cent of the entrepreneurs said they would invest more in technological innovation, and 39.7 per cent would deepen their understanding of the world market.

The bleak world economy, especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States which occurred while the survey was being conducted, did not appear to impact respondents' assessment of the country's economic situation.

Almost half respondents commented the situation as normal. A total of 30.8 per cent think the situation is a little cold or too cold, which level the results last year, and is much lower than 56.6 per cent in 1999.

However, some 67 percent of the respondents said export demand was insufficient, having risen 18.1 per cent from last year.

(China Daily November 13, 2001)