China Friday launched a wide-ranging strategic research program to assess the overall demand for farmland, grain, freshwater, energy and other resources that will exist when its population peaks at approximately 1.6 billion around 2030.

Addressing a seminar in Beijing on the country's population and development strategy, State Councilor Hua Jianmin said China needs accurate quantitative analysis and scientific conclusions on the future demands for decision-making, and to coordinate population growth and sustainable economic and social development.

Hua, also secretary-general of the State Council, China's cabinet, said the research on China's population strategy aims to produce basic data on population, draw up a medium- and long-term population development blueprint, and put forward strategic measures on population development and proposals on economic and social development.

He called on various localities and departments concerned to support the research program and research institutions and researchers involved to cooperate closely so as to achieve preset results.

The research program will be conducted by about 120 leading academicians, experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Research Development Center of the State Council, Beijing University, Qinghua University, Nankai University and other research institutions.

Chinese experts say the Chinese population will peak at 1.6 billion around 2030 from the present 1.29 billion.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2004)