China spent more on science and education in the January-April period, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Figures from the bureau showed the aggregate investment in scientific research and polytechnic services in the first four months this year reached 1.28 billion yuan (US$154.2 million), surging 21.4 percent on an annual basis.
At the same time, investment in education, culture, health care, broadcasting and social welfare amounted to 14.74 billion yuan (US$1.77 billion), up 17.3 percent over the same period of last year.
The Chinese government has placed the development of science and education high on its agenda in an effort to accelerate the country's modernization process.