BEIJING, Oct. 6-- A report on professionals working in China says the country will need another twenty million high-caliber workers by 2010.

The report, issued by a human resources institute under the Ministry of Personnel, is the first of its kind to systematically analyse the status quo and future development of the professional sector in China's workplaces.

The report shows professionals have helped push forward China's economic development between 1978 and 2003, as the annual growth rate of professionals reaches 7.34 percent, compared with 9.38 percent of China's GDP growth.

It says ensuring professionals' basic rights and interests could serve as a major indicator of China's efforts to promote human rights.

However, the report warns of excessive number of professionals in the service sector and uneven distribution of these people in China's east and west regions.

It also indicates China's professionals will need to sharpen their international competitive edge.

(Source: CRI/ Agencies, Photo: jobease.com.cn)