China is moving to develop key technologies that can advance its burgeoning high-tech sector and contribute to industrial restructuring and economic growth, said Premier Zhu Rongji at a cabinet-level meeting.
Addressing the 12th meeting of the State's leading group on science, technology and education on Monday, Zhu said the focus should be on major high-tech projects that are of strategic significance to the nation's economy.
Zhu said science and technology bear significance on the nation's modernization drive and its dream of building a xiaokang society, one that is materially and socially well off.
He urged officials to keep a sober mind on the fact that China is still lagging behind those nations with advanced technology and called for strengthened measures and policies in the area of technological innovation.
In 2001, investment into the country's research and development was 96 billion yuan (US$11.6 billion), which accounts for one percent of GDP, according to official data.
During the meeting, Zhu, the director of the leading group, urged the country to continue to implement the strategy of invigorating China through science and education.
To date, the group has debated 29 major issues and made a series of important pro-science and pro-education decisions, said Zhu.
In another development, Zhu also told the meeting that efforts to renovate dilapidated classrooms in rural primary and high schools must continue. Local governments will shoulder the bulk of the cost for the renovation while State subsidies will be directed mainly to those impoverished areas in central and western regions.
Vice Premier Li Lanqing and Wen Jiabao also attended the meeting.
(China Daily January 9, 2003)
