The three-day 39th World Congress of the International Advertising Agency (IAA) opened here Wednesday.

In her message of congratulations sent to the congress, Chinese vice-premier Wu Yi said: "As China achieves rapid progress in reform and opening up and national economic growth, China's advertising industry has also undergone rapid growth and unprecedented lift in its overall level."

She said China's advertising industry experiences an average annual growth rate of about 40 percent. Business revenue in 2003 reached 100 billion yuan (approximately 12.05 billion US dollars).

"Advertising has become an industry that has important influence in China's social and economic affairs," said Wu. "The rapid development and tremendous achievement of China's advertising industry has created vast space and stage for the development and expansion of world advertising businesses in China."

The congress is held every two years in different countries andregions, but this is the first time to take place in China.

Events of the congress include a forum on the present and future development of the sector, an exhibition of advertising firms, an exhibition of outstanding Chinese advertising works and an exhibition of new technology and equipment.

Source: Xinhua