Leading Scientists Applaud CPC' Five-year Plan ProposalScientists at China's largest research institution Thursday applauded the proposal made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the economic and social plan for the coming five years.In a discussion on the proposal that was issued Wednesday, President of the Chinese Academy (CAS) of Sciences Lu Yongxiang said CAS will continue its structural and personnel reform to contribute more to the country's economic and social development and to national defense. He said CAS will continue its reform to create mechanisms suitable for knowledge and to meet the demand of a globalizing market economy. CAS currently employs 36,000 researchers. The Fifth Plenary of the CPC Central Committee passed suggestions last week on the proposed plan on the national economy and social development for 2001-2005, reiterating the need to expand scientific and technological industries. According to the suggestions, innovation is the prerequisite for scientific and technological progress and knowledge innovation, which was described as the decisive factor in improving comprehensive national strength. Chosen by the Chinese government in 1998 China's knowledge innovation, the academy has selected 6,000 young and capable researchers from its research staff for priority programs in a more flexible system with better working and living conditions. Tan Tieniu, director of the Institute of Automation at CAS, said he was inspired by the suggestions, which calls for more emphasis on science and technology in economic and social development in the coming years. Liu Jiyuan, director of the Institute of Geoscience and Resources at CAS, said in regard to the rapid development forecast in the proposal, that he and his colleagues should formulate strategic research planning in the field of resources and the environment. After two decades of fast economic development, the government now has more resources to fund basic research in the environment and resources, he explained. Efforts should be made to explore ways to control desertification in western and northern China and sandstorms in north China in the coming years, said Liu. According to the proposal, China should double its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2010 on the basis of the GDP for 2000. Priority should be given to resources in such areas as information technology, biotechnology, new material technology, advanced manufacturing technology and space technology, said the proposal. |
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