Starting this year, China will increase investment in basic research, new and edge subjects, intersection science to encourage innovation, in the latter period of the 10th Five-year Plan (2001-2005), China will aid an annual 4,500 sci-tech projects, to a cost of 300,000 yuan for each, one fold increase over 2000.

As one of nation's main channels for support of basic research, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has tried its most in promoting China's science and technology development in the past 15 years. Among the various successes made are included ten basic research projects helped with state funds last year: 6 have got support from NSFC. Chinese scientists published 22 essays in Science and Nature, two world-renowned magazines, 17 of which were supported by NSFC.

Chen Jiaer, president of NSFC said that the Foundation will continue to finance China's research studies to create a good environment for renovation and will keep 60 percent of the funds used for free-application items. It will also enhance its support and raise the proportion of allocations needed.

(People's Daily 03/21/01)