Scientific Progress to Boost Economy

2009-03-17 13:16:47 Bridging the Straits

Anchor:
China has been making progress on a number of frontier technologies, in a bid to increase its research capabilities. With a total investment of one trillion yuan, or nearly 150 billion US dollars, these technologies are expected to greatly boost China's national economy.

Our reporter Zhang Cheng has the details.

Reporter:
These 16 frontier technologies were listed by the National Guideline on Medium- and Long-Term Program for Science and Technology Development in 2006.

They include sending a Chinese astronaut to the moon, developing the next generation of jumbo jets, processors and high-performance chips and broadband technology, and fighting AIDS and hepatitis.

Zhao Jinrong, deputy chief executive of North Microelectronics, says his company can process the chips with an accuracy of about 65 nanometers - about one- thousandth the width of a hair.

"Chips are fundamental for the development of the information industry. For the manufacture of chips, assembly is the most critical step. Several years ago, Chinese companies couldn't make the equipment; we could only rely on imported facilities."

More than one third of the one trillion yuan will be injected into the chip-making industry by 2010.

Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang says these key projects are of strategic importance to the future development of the Chinese economy.

"Given that many industries are involved in research of these key projects, the frontier technologies will boost the development of basic industries, like component and spare part manufacturers."

Aside from the stimulus effect on the economy, some of these projects could soon be used in daily life.

Research on the next generation of broadband technology was recently completed in China. The technology is expected to be used on a trial basis at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.

Yang Hua is an expert on mobile communication.

"The next generation of broadband technology will further improve broadband capabilities and the speed of data transmission, so we could watch programs on our handsets with the same quality as those on high-definition TV or download a movie in just a few seconds."

Achievements have also been made in other frontier technologies.

China's second moon orbiter, Chang'e-2, is expected to be launched next year. The country also plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong-1, into orbit in 2011.

Zhang Cheng, CRI News.

Talk China

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