Experts and government officials unveiled plans to transform Beijing into an electronic city in time for the 2008 Olympics at the Beijing Economic Forum yesterday,according to today's China Daily.

From September 11 to 13, the three-day forum, whose themes are "New Olympic, New Beijing" and "Beijing, Marching Towards International Metropolis," aims to collect ideas for Beijing's makeover.

According to the "electronic Beijing" plan, Beijing will become a modern city equipped with complete information networks by 2010.

Zhang Yingxun, an official from the office promoting application of information technology under the municipal government, said the processing of government affairs with information technologies should be a key strategy to propel the application of information technologies in Beijing's economic and social development.

"Beijing will take the lead in forming an e-government, which is necessary for the government to change working modes and enhance efficiency," Zhang said.

The government expects to begin to offer online registration, administration and related governmental services to residents and enterprises in two years. By 2005, a comprehensive high-speed, broadband e-government network will be established, and all governmental departments will be able to handle their work through interactive networks, he said.

Wang Keyi, director of the Beijing Economic Information Centre, said Beijing has led the country in information technology application.

According to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics, Beijing's composite index of application of information technology, which measures the degree of popularization of information technology, scored 89.87 points, compared with the national average of 26 points and Shanghai's 71 points.

But Wang pointed out that the construction of electronic Beijing is not a job that can be completed in the short term.

"It requires continuous effort to maintain and develop Beijing's current leading position," Wang said.

Wang also warned the Beijing companies do not rush to buy high-tech equipment they can not consume.

Xu Zuzhe, secretary-general of the Beijing Information Industry Association, also said the stipulation of rules that regulate the information industry is essential to its healthy development.