China will continue to implement its hi-tech research and development program in the next five years in order to narrow the gap between China and other countries in the hi-tech field and ensure its status in the world's hi-tech arena.
Feng Jichun, a senior official of the Ministry of Science and Technology, made the remark at a symposium on the strategy for developing China's advanced manufacturing technology, which opened in Beijing Friday.
The program, also known as the "863 Program" initiated 14 years ago, involves some 60,000 scientists and enables the country to have an edge on the international hi-tech industries.
An modern computerized integrated manufacturing system (CIMS), an advanced design, management and manufacturing system, has been developed by Chinese scientists as part of the achievements of the national hi-tech research and development program.
Today, more than 200 enterprises in the country apply the CIMS to the manufacturing of over 50 products in 11 series, whose annual output value is well above 100 million yuan (US$12 million).
The CIMS will continue to be a theme for research in the field of automation under the "863 Program" when China is implementing its 10th five-year plan in 2001-2005, according to Feng.
(Xinhua 09/24/2000)
