The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology launched 41 key research projects and appointed 53 scientists to lead the projects on December 9.

The projects, which attracted the best researchers in the country, include genetic research for rice, prevention of coal burning pollution, computer science, China's ecological evolution, control of serious epidemic diseases and the evolution of the galaxy, agriculture, energy information, resources, population, and health.

The projects were initiated last year with a five-year investment of 2.5 billion yuan (about 300 million US dollars).