China will reform the current scientific and technological management system and combine and coordinate the military and civilian research organizations in order to promote its scientific development.

According to the National Guideline on Medium- and Long-term Program for Science and Technology Development (2006-2020) issued by the State Council on Thursday, China's military organizations are encouraged to shoulder up the tasks of scientific research forcivilian use.

At the same time, civilian research institutes and enterprises are also allowed to take part in national defence research projects. The purchase of military articles will also be expanded to more areas of civilian research organizations and enterprises, the guideline says.

Reform management system will be carried out to ensure equal opportunities for civilian research organizations to take part in the research and production of military facilities, says the guideline.

The guideline says China will establish a new mechanism to coordinate the military and civilian basic research and integrate the research and development forces for high technology.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)