China has spent more on science and education in the first nine months of this year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Figures from the bureau showed the aggregate investment in scientific research and poly-technical services from January to September reached 4.3 billion yuan (520 million US dollars), a surge of 22.1 percent on an annual basis.

At the same time, investment in education, culture, health care, broadcasting and social welfare amounted to 48.1 billion yuan (5.8 billion US dollars), up 17.1 percent on a year-on-year basis.

The Chinese government has put the development of science and education high on its agenda in an effort to accelerate the country's modernization process.