Despite the rapid developments which have seen China's instant noodles industry lead the way with regard to certain aspects of production and flavor research and development, its capacity for independent innovation needs to increase, said Wang Liming, director of the Consumer Goods Department of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Wang was speaking at the eighth World Instant Noodles Summit, which ran from May 19 to 21.

Tingyi Holding Corporation has produced more than 280 different types of products, but in general, the instant noodles industry in China lags some way behind companies in Japan and South Korea, Wang added. He also commented that products could be improved in terms of taste, appearance and quality.

By 2015, the scale of the convenience food manufacturing industry will reach 530 billion yuan (US$ 83.79 billion), with an annual growth rate of over 30%.

The instant noodles industry alone will generate sales revenues of up to 100 billion yuan, according to China's food industry development plans for the period of the 12th Five Year (2011-2015), which were issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in concert with other ministries.

Commenting on the steps which would be required to achieve the goals set out in the development plans, Wang said that the industry should continuously strive to innovate, work to remove technological bottlenecks and improve product quality, all of which would transform the industry from a sales volume-oriented track to one which emphasizes science, quality and efficiency.

Wang added that the summit is an excellent opportunity for the industry to learn and explore ways in which it can innovate.

The biennial summit was launched by the instant noodle inventor Momofuku Ando (1910-2007) and aims to promote the development of the instant noodles industry and contribute to the overall improvement of people's life.