A number of huge nationwide science and technology research projects were given an extra boost yesterday, when another 24 chief scientists and their teams were inaugurated into state-supported strategic plan.

The renowned scientists will devote themselves to 21 basic research projects on agriculture, energy, population and health, and material and information technology.

The Ministry of Science and Technology yesterday organized a ceremony in Beijing, handing letters of appointment to the scientists from various fields.

The new batch makes a total of 135 chief scientists on the research task force since China initiated the huge plan to strengthen its fundamental research in 1998.

To date, the central government has poured 1.8 billion yuan (US$217 million) into 108 national projects involved in the blueprint - coded 973 Plan.

The plan aims to attract a team of prestigious scientists to carry out basic research essential to the state's interest and needs.

However, the ministry did not reveal the government's investment in the 21 projects declared yesterday.

In total, the ministry received 171 project ideas from scientists across the nation last year, and finally approved 21 after a strict appraisal by an authorized group of experts.

Of the projects, three are related to agriculture.

Cheng Jinpei, vice-minister of the ministry, explained that the projects will bolster China's situation following its entry into the World Trade Organization.

"The membership will have great impact on the agriculture industry, in which we should pay more attention," said Cheng at yesterday's ceremony.

Three chief scientists and their teams, as well as the ministries of education and agriculture, are involved in research into hybrid seeds, fertilizers and trans-genetic engineering, according to Cheng.

"Teamwork spirit is important for the plan because most research is interdisciplinary," Cheng said.

Cheng said the scientists need to improve their way of academic study, especially with China's WTO membership, which requires the scientists to try hard to keep abreast of the development of the rest of the world.

According to Cheng, China still lags behind some developed countries in basic research in terms of achievement and investment.

Last year, science research investment amounted to 1 percent of the total of the gross domestic product, and the state planned to increase this figure to 1.5 percent by 2005. For the developed countries, the average investment is 4 percent.

(China Daily January 12, 2002)