Siemens AG is going to train 15 to 20 senior-level management officials and an additional 15 to 20 senior technical professionals for China's state-owned companies each year beginning in 2005.

According to a memorandum signed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council and Siemens earlier this month, Siemens agreed to finance the Chinese trainees to study at a Munich-based Siemens management college in programs varying from three months to six months.

The first groups of the Chinese trainees are scheduled to be from the telecommunication sector. In coming years, a Siemens China public relations officer said, further training will be extended to medical equipment manufacturing, power generation, home electric manufacturing and automation.

Mandated by the State Council, the SASAC oversees 187 large-sized state-owned companies.

Li Rongrong, minister in charge of the SASAC, said China urgently needs senior management personnel with advanced knowledge, management skills and global perspectives.

Heinrich von Pierer, president and chief executive officer of Siemens AG, said his company is willing to share management experience with Chinese enterprises.