The?Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for
National Defense issued a circular on Monday granting private
businesses access to the military industry.
Private businesses will be allowed to invest in military
infrastructure construction, conduct scientific research for
national defense projects and weaponry production, participate in
the regrouping of military firms and cooperate with military firms
to develop technology for military and civilian use.
The move aims to facilitate a better use of government outlay
for national defense and take advantage of private firms' financial
and technological resources, said the circular.
To enter the military industry, private enterprises will have to
acquire security, quality and production safety certification.
China has been gradually removing the long-standing monopoly of
State capital on its military industry since 2005 when private
firms were allowed to produce unimportant military products.
(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2007)