China will develop a number of frontier technologies which are expected to play a guiding role in the development of science and technology, in a bid to increase its research capabilities in high technology and international competitiveness of industries.

Frontier technologies are a key base for future upgrades of high-tech and emerging industries, reflecting a country's innovation capability, says the National Guideline on Medium- and Long-Term Program for Science and Technology Development (2006-2020) published by the State Council Thursday.

By 2020, China will have developed a number of frontier technologies in the biological sector, such as target-finding, designing of species of animals and plants as well as pharmaceutical elements, genetic operation and protein engineering, dry cell-based human tissue engineering, and new-generation industrial biological technology.

Regarding the information industry, the guideline says China will continue moving toward main targets of high efficiency, low cost, and general applicability of computerization.

As for materials technologies, in the coming 15 years, China will work on technology of intelligent materials and structure, high-temperature superconduct technology, and highly-efficient energy and material technology.

In the field of advanced manufacturing technology, China plans to make breakthroughs in extreme manufacturing, robot capable of doing intelligent services, and forecasting on the life span of important products and major facilities.

China will focus its energy research on the economical, efficient and clean use of energy and the exploration of new energy resources.

The guideline also calls for development of technology for comprehensive exploration of seas and oceans, planning to make breakthroughs in stereo monitoring of maritime environment, quick-and multi-reference measuring of sea bed, exploitation of gas-water mixture, and deep-sea operation.

It also gives future development schemes for laser technology and space-sky technology for the next 15 years. 

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)