China's State Council issued Sunday incentive policies encouraging scientific and technological innovation.

The incentive policies target at creating friendly environment for carrying out the National Guidelines for Medium- and Long-term Plans for Science and Technology Development from 2006 to 2020.

The incentives include promised increase of research and development expenditures, favorable taxation policies towards innovation-oriented enterprises, financial supports and governmental procurement.

In addition, specific policies will also be worked out for licensing of alien technologies, intellectual property protection, human resources, improvement of public science awareness and favorable policies for state key research labs.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2006)