Shenzhen started work on the country's largest semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED) base Monday, which is hoped to have an output value of 100 billion yuan (US$12 billion) in five years.

Located at the Guangming Hi-Tech Park in Bao'an District, the three-square-kilometer base will have an initial investment of 3 billion yuan and 20 billion yuan in three to five years.

It is the fourth State-level base in Shenzhen, following a national software industry base, export-oriented software base and IC base.

Zhang Jing'an, a senior official with the Ministry of Science and Technology attending Monday's ceremony, said the State had approved the project in April, inspired by Shenzhen's leading semiconductor LED industry.

Its products will be applied to a variety of areas such as household lighting, auto and urban lighting, traffic lights and large displayer.

Zhang urged Shenzhen to nurture more high-tech enterprises and experts, and strive to be a model for the country.

Shenzhen's Party chief Li Hongzhong hailed the State's decision and promised the government would provide quality services for the project development.

Shenzhen's semiconductor LED sector generated a total of 8 billion yuan in 2004, with 300-strong enterprises.

(Shenzhen Daily June 15, 2005)