US computer networking giant Cisco Systems aims to grow China into one of its top three markets within five years, a company executive said yesterday.

Company Chairman and CEO John Chambers said China, which is "in a dynamic state of transition", is emerging as a strategic market for Cisco, the world's largest maker of routers, switches and other equipment that make up the Internet.

The ambitious goal comes on the heels of a $16 billion expansion plan for China unveiled by Cisco in November. And it comes at a time when China is overtaking the United States as the world's largest Internet population, and businesses in the country are embracing networking technologies, especially network-enabled collaborations, to cut costs and increase operational efficiency to compete in a globalized market.