BEIJING -- Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan on Wednesday met with Craig Barrett, board chairman of Intel Corporation, the world's biggest chip maker based in the United States.

Zeng said the Chinese information industry was mushrooming and faced a growing market.

The government attached great importance to the information industry and encouraged international exchanges and cooperation, Zeng said.

China welcomed investment by multinational companies, he added.

Zeng expected Intel to upgrade its cooperation with Chinese companies, and promote chip manufacturing, design and application.

Barrett briefed Zeng on Intel's investment in China and its cooperation in various fields.