The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) announced on Monday a 1.3-billion-yuan (US$161 million) budget for China's 973 Program, a key national program for the development of pure scientific research, in the next two to three years.

A total of 109 research projects were listed as beneficiaries on the website of the ministry, which has also started to solicit public opinion on the investment.

Anyone who wants to give feedback on the project allocations can contact the MOST Financial Department or email tcs_cwc@mail.most.gov.cn.

Many people from the scientific circles welcomed the move, saying public review of the budget would be conducive to increasing transparency and supervision over the use of the money.

In the 1980s, the government formulated a series of general programs for scientific and technological research and development, aiming to improve competitiveness in the 21st century.

The Key Technologies R&D Program, National Hi-tech R&D Program (or 863 Program) and 973 Program have formed the main body of state science and technology programs.

The 973 Program began to be implemented in 1998. It mainly involves multidiscipline, comprehensive research in fields such as agriculture, energy, information, environment, population and health.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian September 2, 2005)