Science and Technology

In 1999, thanks to the increasingly input efforts, postal technology even better supported postal construction and development. Seven regulations and rules concerning soft science research, post standards, scienhfic and technological development projects were formulated. A series of fundamental research projects such as Postal Technology Standards (AInendmellt), Post Research and Study Development Guideline, Computer Management System for Post Technology, etc., were put in motion. "State Post Bureau Technological Achievement Appraisal Seal" and "State Post Bureau Soft Science Achievement Appraisal Seal" were put into application. Seven imperative standards and regulahons on Post integrated Computer (PIC) network, Postal Savings (Green Card) network and Mail Center project, containerization of mailing, etc., were published. "Information Technology Standard WOrking Team" was set up responsible for producing and reviewing information technology standards.

As for new technology and new facility stlldy and develOPment, China Post consummated the YZK compliance and sped up the PIC network consAnction and Green Card netWork transformation. WAN-PIC realized inter-provincial connection nahonwide. A self-developed worldclass "High Speed Flat Automatic Sorting System", whose intellectUal property right is reserved by SPB, passed the appraisal and put into actual operahon in Zhengzhou Municipal Post Office. PostCode Image accessing and Parallel identification Technology passed appraisal and was aPPlied to 10-odd letter-sorting machines contributing to the improvement in identificahon rate and the reduction in errors. Worldclass Facing and Sorting integrated Mail Processing System, widely applied in Hefei Municipal Post Office, was enlisted in 1999 Nationallevel Technology Achievement Key Promoting Projects. Post Vehicle Tracing, Positioning and Coordinating System functions in many cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

As for information service development, electronic Post (e--Post) concept was raised. Study Report on the Feasibility of 'Building China ePost' and Post e-Commerce System General Program were completed successively, which not only probe the construction of "e-Post" and study established services but also shpulate e-Post technological development guidelines and implementation procedures. With the approval from National infot'lhatization Office, China Post e-Commerce System became the national e-Commerce Model Project. Ministry of information and Technology (Mll) approved the special service call "183" to access to computer information network illtCrnet service and "185" to call information service. In addition, China e-POst boasts a registered web site "www.183.com.cn".

In 1999, SPB idenhfied successively two groups of new technology development projects composed of 142 items, among which, 62 items were in soft science, 29 on standard and quality supervision and inspechon, 33 on computer application and 18 about equipment development. By year end, around 70 items had completed.

To obtain support in project planning and financing, China Post actively got contact with State Planning Commission, State Economic and Trade Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and other relevant governmental agencies. MST endorsed SPB to enjoy Special Registerion for Technology Project and State Administration of Quality and Technology Supervision endorsed SPB to employ "YZ" as the standard code of post industry after idenhfying standard administrative area in post industry.

In 1999, Mll awarded China Post 1 first place in Technology Development, 8 second places and 19 the third places. Among the awarded items, Facing and Soning integrated Mail Processing System was recommended by Mll to compete National Championship.