China's first law on introducing overseas experts may be issued in 2005 in order to help better find the experts China needs and protect their rights in the country, said Li Bing, deputy director-general of State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA).

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Li said SAFEA had already proposed the draft law to be deliberated. "The law may promote the internationalization and standardization of China's practice of introducing foreign experts, and help us find the most needed experts, especially those senior experts in the fields of finance, law, international trade and high technology," she said.

Foreign experts play very important role in promoting China's social and economic construction. According to the National Statistics Bureau, every year China introduces more than 240,000 foreign experts. Since China took the reform and opening-up policy in late 1970s, it has altogether introduced over 2.5 million foreign experts in the fields of agriculture, education, manufacturing and news reporting.

Li said these experts brought their advanced technology and managing experience to China, and made great contribution to China's economic progress and enterprise reform. Moreover, such personnel exchanges actively promote the trade cooperation between China and foreign countries, which not only benefit China but also foreign countries.

"Through telling their experience in China, they let people in their countries know more about China," Li said.

She said China is still a developing country, and it needs a lot of experts to develop its western region and northeast industrial base.

"We welcome more foreign experts to join us, and make full use of their wisdom to helping China's economic development," Li said.