China looks to tech future

China announced a 15-year plan recently to invest in technology development.

The focus will span from genetics to energy-efficient cars, hoping to kick along economic growth and improve environmental protection.

President Hu Jintao and other leaders have called recently for China to spend more on science and increase the role played by technology and innovation in economic development.

Communist leaders have fallen short in their drive to nurture scientific development over the past decade, hoping to profit from new industries and to reduce China's reliance on foreign technology.

The government said it would focus on several key technology areas. Those include high-end chips, software, manufacturing of supercargo integrated circuits, broadband and wireless communications, exploration of oil and gas fields as well as coalmine gas, nuclear power plants, control and treatment of water pollution, genetic engineering, disease prevention and treatment, and aeronautics.

The plan issued by the Cabinet calls for China to raise spending on research to 2 per cent of economic output by 2010, and 2.5 per cent by 2020.

The 15-year plan encourages business growth while still allowing for collaboration with foreign groups.