The central government will invest at least 6 billion yuan
(US$750 million) in major scientific infrastructure projects in the
next five years.
The?National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
announced Thursday that the 12 major projects include an
accelerator-based neutron source, a large area space telescope,
marine research vessels, a space remote sensing system and other
key projects.
The NDRC will invest a further 5 billion yuan (US$625 million)
in the third phase of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' (CAS)
innovation project, building or upgrading 50 national engineering
institutes and 100 national labs, and supporting 300 national
authorized enterprise tech centers.
"We will strengthen the innovation system, boost research and
development of major technologies and build the country into an
internationally competitive, technology-rich nation with
significant innovative capabilities," the NDRC said.
The NDRC is currently working on 29 detailed regulations to
encourage corporate innovation and high-tech development in small
and medium-sized enterprises. The regulations will be released by
the end of the year.
(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)