April 24, 2007 - The SAFE held the 2007 Work Conference on Science and Technology in Guangdong to summarize the application of science and technology to foreign exchange administration in recent years and to make arrangements for 2007. Deputy Administrator Li Dongrong attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

The SAFE, under the guidance of the concept of scientific development, in recent years has actively applied science and technology to its work in accordance with the requirements of national informatization construction. The SAFE worked out the Eleventh Five-year IT Plan on Foreign Exchange Administration; built an online platform to facilitate enterprises and banks; promoted management systems for individual foreign exchange settlement and sale and upgraded the foreign exchange account system to guarantee the smooth implementation of policies; and reinforced the construction of infrastructure to lay a solid foundation for safe and stable operations of the information system. The meeting pointed out that the SAFE would, based on the main work of the State Informatization Leading Group in 2007 and the tasks defined in the Eleventh Five-year IT Plan on Foreign Exchange Administration, continue to strengthen fundamental informatization construction, guarantee network and information safety, step up efforts to consolidate and utilize foreign exchange data, promote the construction of e-government affairs and resource sharing, and improve public services.

Li emphasized that the complicated and volatile international and domestic economic and financial situations present both challenges and opportunities for the application of science and technology. He set forth the following requirements to successfully achieve the tasks of 2007. First, to study and grasp the gist of the Central Economic Work Conference and the National Financial Work Conference, seeking unity of thinking, setting a clear direction, fully recognizing the complexity and difficulty of achieving an equilibrium in the balance of payments, and guiding the application of science and technology to foreign exchange administration. Second, to honorably, responsibly, and urgently apply science and technology, energetically and diligently serving the reform of foreign exchange administration, promoting economic development, and contributing to an equilibrium in the balance of payments. Third, to strengthen the construction of a skilled team to provide sufficient manpower for system construction, operation and maintenance, and technological management, etc.