BEIJING, Sept. 20 -- China has launched a five-year action plan to establish world-leading sci-tech journals, according to the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST).

Building a country strong in science and technology requires the support of world-leading sci-tech journals. With China's growing strength in innovation, it is necessary to build Chinese journals with international influence, according to a circular jointly issued by the CAST, the Ministry of Finance and five other departments.

The plan, with strong financial backing, will build a support system to make up for the shortcomings of Chinese sci-tech journals in editing, publishing, dissemination and services.

It will give priority to journals in basic research, strategic frontier research and emerging interdisciplinary fields, said the CAST.