AsianScientist (Jul. 2, 2011) – China will spend two trillion yuan (US$308.5 billion) on science and technology in the next five years, making biotechnology a major priority.
This was announced by Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong at the ongoing 2011 International Conference for Bio-economy (Bio Eco 2011).
“The development priorities of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) – biopharmacy, bio-engineering, bio-agriculture and biomanufacturing – will bring benefits to Chinese people,” Liu said.
According to Liu, the Chinese Government intends to combine biotechnology with economic development to improve ordinary people’s livelihood. For example, biotechnology could be applied to disaster prevention and to improve nutrition and healthcare, said Liu.
During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the Chinese Government will spend 20 billion yuan (US$3 billion) on innovative medicine, on the cultivation of new varieties of genetically modified organisms, and on the prevention and control of viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases, said Ma Hongjian, deputy director of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development.
Biotechnology has become a strategic pillar industry for China. From 2011 to 2015, it is expected to generate one million jobs, extend people’s life expectancy by one year, reduce the infant mortality rate to 12 percent, and reduce emissions of the most common pollutants by 10 percent, Ma said.
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Source: China Daily.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
