China will put 20 billion yuan (US$2.5 billion) for a dozen key science and technology research and development projects within the next three to five years, the Ministry of Science and Technology announced Tuesday.
The projects are expected to help China "rapidly command a host of cutting-edge technologies in the 21st century, make significant technological breakthroughs and get them industrialized in three to five years," according to ministry sources.
The projects involve super-scale integrated circuit (IC) and software, electric vehicle (EV), innovative medicine and herbal medicine modernization, dairy development and water-saving agriculture.
According to experts, projects such as the "in-depth processing of major agricultural products" and "food safety" are decided to clear hindrances to sustainable development of the national economy and society, facilitate the strategic industrial restructuring, raise farmers' income and safeguard public health and security.
Research on "super-scale IC and software" and "key technological criteria" are anticipated to break foreign monopolies in some high-tech fields, grasp the core technologies that are significant to China's national sovereignty and security, and provide technological support for the development of information industry.
Projects like the "information security and e-government" and "innovative medicine and herbal medicine modernization" are initiated to set up platforms for the innovation of new and advantageous industries to cope with foreign technological barriers and effectively participate in international competition.
With projects such as the EV, China hopes to possess patents and self-owned intellectual property rights by making core technological breakthroughs, so as to take an advantageous position in competition and boost the development of new industries.
Officials from the ministry said the projects have passed feasibility testing and are officially approved for implementation. Among the US$2.5 billion to be spent during the country's Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) period, over US$750 million will be earmarked fiscally and US$1.75 billion come from related ministries, local governments and enterprises.
Most of the projects have been open to public bidding, and some are being implemented.
Involving 19 departments and 22 provinces and municipalities, the projects will have far-reaching impacts on the country's industrial restructuring, market competitiveness and farmers' income increase, official sources said.
(People's Daily July 31, 2002)
