China will support eleven national research programs with at least 62.8 billion yuan (US$9.2 billion) in one and a half years to achieve breakthroughs in key technology development, the government said Wednesday.

Areas covered by the programs included advanced numerically controlled machine tools, trunk-line aircraft, new-generation broadband wireless mobile communications network, and high-end central processing units and software.

The programs also focused on the development of large oil and gas field, advanced nuclear power stations that use pressurized water reactor and high temperature gas-cooled reactor, technology for the treatment and control of water pollution, transgenic products, new drug development, and the treatment of major infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis.

A working meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet, Wednesday endorsed the proposed government investment of 62.8 billion yuan into the programs by the end of 2010.

More investment is expected to be added by enterprises involved in the programs.

The meeting, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, was told that the new technologies would help to boost internal market demands as China managed to maintain a steady growth amid global economic downturn.

They will yield profound impacts on economic and social development in China.

The meeting also adopted a plan on stimulating the country's biological technology development in areas such as medicine, agriculture, energy, manufacturing and environmental protection.

Although no details of the plan were immediately released, China will support modern bio-industry enterprises, particularly those with strong research and development capabilities and international competitiveness, according to the meeting.

Companies, universities and research institutes will be encouraged to develop technologies with their own intellectual property rights.

The plan is aimed at giving those companies much-needed support. For example, self-developed bio-industry products would be the first choice in governments' purchase plans. Special investment funds and agencies will be set up to help channel more private investment into biotechnological industries.

The government will enhance the protection of intellectual property rights, and ensure safe use of biological technologies and products, the plan said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2009)