Agriculture, health, hygiene and environmental protection will be given the same priority as other industries in terms of State funding for science and technology development, China's Minister of Science and Technology, Xu Guanhua, said yesterday.

 

The Chinese government will significantly increase its input in the four areas to reach similar investment levels seen in light and heavy industries, he said.

 

Investment will also be stepped up for public welfare related science and technology research projects, which will be given equal importance as industrial high-tech projects, Xu said.

 

"Not only will we finance the projects but we will also give more support in areas such as human resource building," he said, but declined to reveal any specific figures.

 

The new measures mark a substantial adjustment to the countriy's scientific and technological orientation, coming right after the National Science and Technology Conference.

 

Ke Bing, a senior official with the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, told China Daily the change is "natural and significant." Ke, also a director with the division of resources and environment, has been involved with discussions on the country's new plan for science and technology development in the next 15 years.

 

It is natural because "the largest challenge to China's future development lies in energy, resources and environmental protection, three areas plagued by various problems hindering economic growth," he said.

 

"The control of water pollution and new problems such as persistent organic pollutants will remain at the top of the agenda," he said.

 

He added that water protection measures will be integrated into the construction of several ongoing projects, such as the Three Gorges Dam Project and the south-to-north water diversion project.

 

The country has invested nearly 600 million yuan (US$75 million) in environmental protection over the past five years, according to Ke.

 

(China Daily January 13, 2006)