BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Laptop computer and digital television sales are expected to boom in China this year, while sales of cellphones -- the highest in the world in 2003 -- are forecast to slip, the Ministry of Information Industry has estimated.

¡¡¡¡In 2004, the laptop computer sales will increase from 1 millionto around 8 million, while digital TV receivers will rise from 1 million to 30 million within two years, according to the ministry.

    Over the next five years, China's laptop computer market will keep growing steadily, with sales peaking in 2004, according to China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID), a consultancy company under the ministry.

    However in 2003, China sold 80 million cellphones, just half ofits production volume.

    Motorola, Nokia and Siemens, the three biggest selling cellphone brands, last year all claimed their actual sales failed to meet expectations.

    Experts fear the cellphone's declining market may betray its increasing productivity. Enditem