The website of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) recently
reported that the state marine sci-tech development program in the
11th Five-year Plan Period (2006-2010), the first of its kind, was
jointly issued by the SOA, the Ministry of Science and Technology,
the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National
Defense and the National Natural Science Foundation.
The program comprehensively analyzed the situation China's
marine science and technology is facing, the development demands of
the coastal area's socio-economy and the country's strategic
requirements.
Putting the emphasis on supporting and leading roles of science
and technology, considering the country's power and resources in
this area as a whole, the program outlines the major tasks to be
accomplished during the 2006-2010 period, promising that the
nation's basic marine science research ability will be improved
remarkably.
According to the program, new breakthroughs will be made
relating to the independent research and exploitation ability of
significant oceanic core technology. The sci-tech innovation system
would also be perfected.
The program predicts that marine sci-tech would provide stronger
support to the oceanic economy, management, disaster relief and
safety issues while optimizing resource distribution and
high-caliber personnel would increase by 30 percent. Up to 2020,
the country's marine sci-tech is expected to reach the level of a
medium-developed country.
To ensure the success of the program, eight key tasks were
brought forward. They are: developing the marine inspection and
forecast technology to improve the ability of safeguarding marine
environment; developing the exploitation and protection technology
to push the marine economy forward; expanding marine science
research; carrying out research on marine management to promote
sustainable development; bringing key projects into effect to meet
the country's strategic demand; advancing the construction of
marine innovation systems; strengthening the construction of the
sci-tech platform and enhancing oceanic sci-tech education to build
a stronger pool of talents.
To guarantee its implementation, the program also put forward
many measures such as increasing sci-tech input, deepening
institutional reform, widening international cooperation, and
enhancing the public's consciousness of the oceans.
(China.org.cn by Zhou Jing December 1, 2006)