China will provide policy and funding support for its hi-tech
sectors and encourage companies to cooperate with overseas
partners, a top official said.
The mainland will also support technological cooperation with
Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice-director of the National
Development and Reform Commission, said.
The State said it will increase such support and welcomed
international cooperation.
Shenzhen-based electronics manufacturer TCL, for example, is
eager to work with overseas partners to make 7.5G or 8G LCD
screens, Zhang said.
Areas that will receive State support include sectors such as
integrated circuits, third generation (3G) telecommunication
technology, biomedicine, new materials, aerospace, hi-tech
services, marine industry and updating traditional industries
through high technologies.
Zhang said the State will earmark huge funds for major
scientific and technological developments in the period between
2006 and 2010.
The commission will put in 6 billion yuan (US$789 million) for
12 major projects, including marine scientific investigation.
Another 4.8 billion yuan will be earmarked for innovation-oriented
projects in the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
An additional 2 billion yuan will be used to finance the
establishment of 100 State-level engineering labs, update 50
State-level engineering centers and help set up 300 corporate
technology centers.
While cooperating with foreign partners, domestic firms must
strengthen their ability to develop core technologies. "Some core
technologies cannot be purchased, even if you have the money,"
Zhang said.
(China Daily September 28, 2007)