Chinese Government Sets New Guidelines to Grow High-tech Industries

China is focusing on the newest and most promising areas of technology to expand economic growth through the development of high-tech industries, suggests a new report released by the nation's government. The report, 2004 Guidelines for Priority on Key Technology Areas, indicates China will channel investments to 134 key sectors and promote exports, according to an article in The Scientist.

Key areas include biotechnology and new medicines, new materials, information technology, environmental protection, aeronautics, astronautics, and agriculture. The report was created with input from 200 experts in domestic and international high-tech trends, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Commerce, the article states.

NDRC reported that high-tech output climbed from $132 billion (US) in 1999 to $326 billion (US) last year, having an annual average growth rate of 25.5 percent. The Scientist states China’s High-tech Research and Development (863) Programme, established in 1986, has enabled some of these key areas to begin approaching international standards. The Programme, similar to the new guidelines, focuses on limiting objectives and instead concentrating on key areas.

China’s Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005), according to the article, included $1.8 billion (US) for the 863 Programme. NDRC has yet to release figures for the new guidelines, however.

The 2004 Guidelines for Priority on Key Technology Areas are available from NDRC’s Chinese-language website at: http://www.ndrc.gov.cn. More information on China’s High-tech Research and Development (863) Programme is available at: http://www.materials.gov.cn/newMaterials/static/e_projects/863_prg/