To formulate and implement plans and programmes for
the development of science and technology represents a
common feature and trend of development of science and
technology in the modern world. The state programmes for the
development of science and technology in China are the basic
way in which the Chinese government organizes research and
development activities of science and technology and also an
effective tool of the government to rationally allocate
resources for science and technology and promote the
economic and social development and the prosperity of
scientific and technological undertakings. After the probe
of more than ten years since the 1980s, a relatively
complete system of science and technology programming with
the Chinese characteristics has been preliminarily formed in
China, involving both mission-orientated programmes mainly
for research and development activities and
government-guided programmes mainly for industrialization of
achievements of scientific and technological research and
extension and application of the achievements. All the
programmes are mutually linked and complementary and jointly
developed. Through comprehensively implementing the
programmes of science and technology, the Chinese government
has actively promoted the integration of science and
technology with economy, the growth of productivity, the
strengthening of the integral national power, the
improvement of the people's livelihood and the expansion of
international cooperation and exchange in the field of
science and technology.
The Main
Programmes of Science and Technology of the People's
Republic of China briefly present the policy intention of
China on science and technology and several key fields of
scientific and technological activities in the coming
period, the allocation of resources for science and
technology and the important measures of the Chinese
government for the implementation of those programmes. It is
hoped that it will provide references for the governments at
all levels and personnel of sciences for the governments at
all levels and personnel of science and technology in China,
the governments and colleagues in the circles of science and
technology in foreign countries and regions to care for,
support, understand and help the implementation of all the
Chinese programmes of science and technology.