Vice-Premier Huang Ju said Sunday that China plans to basically modernize its air traffic control system in the first two decades of this century, which he noted will contribute more and have a greater bearing on the country's economic development, national defense and aviation sector.

Addressing China's first national meeting on air traffic control held in Beijing, the vice-premier said China would strive to win major progress in upgrading the country's infrastructure for air traffic control sector, and improving the relevant laws and regulations on air traffic control.

China would consider restructuring its air traffic control system and attach close importance to human resources developing air traffic sector, Huang said.

Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, was among those high-ranking officials attending the May 29-30 meeting, the first of its kind ever since the founding of new China in 1949.

China's air corridors are getting more bustling because of growing air traffic, and officials say it remains an urgent task for the country to improve the way it regulates its air traffic.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) had opened a total of 1,176 air routes by the end of 2003, with the mileage for air traffic amounting to 2.29 million kilometers. And as of March 28, 2004, China would open 20 new domestic airlines and 15 new international routes.

"Air routes very much resemble bus lanes on the ground. Only with air lines, can passengers take flights," said an official with the administration.

China opened its first three international air routes for civil aviation in July of 1950 and the first two domestic courses in August of the same year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2004)