The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China's highest research and academic organization, has set its goals for scientific development in the 21st century.

According to its plan, agricultural high technology is at the top of the list, followed by population and health, information and automation, energy, new materials, earth science, resources and the environment, and space technology.

"The CAS will try to reach the world's advanced level in some key research fields within five to ten years through implementing those goals and several major research projects," said CAS President Lu Yongxiang.

The academy has selected 104 frontier scientific fields and 100 important research areas. It will also launch a group of major projects which have the possibility to produce huge social and economic results.

Lu said the CAS has cut down old and redundant research projects and has plans for projects which will produce new scientific growth points.

He predicted that the ambitious plan may show positive effects within three years and will prove to become more efficient in five years. (Xinhua)