China is to spend 290 million yuan (US$36.25 million) on research into major diseases from 2006 to 2008, the Ministry of Health has announced.

One hundred million yuan will be used to fund research into cancer, cerebrovascular and heart diseases, the Health News reported on Thursday.

Research into the prevention of major birth defects will be granted 50 million yuan and 70 million yuan will be poured into the development of new medical research facilities.

Cancer was the most lethal disease in China's cities in 2005, accounting for 22.9 percent of the ten top fatal diseases. The number of cancer patients has been soaring in China since the 1970s.

A comprehensive plan for the development of China's science and technology over the next 15 years was released last year. It highlighted the prevention of major non-communicable diseases and development of advanced medical instruments as the priority targets of the government.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)