China will give priority to technological development in 11 major sectors such as energy and water resources, in the coming 15 years, in order to resolve some outstanding problems bottlenecking the country's economic and social development.

The key industries also including mining resources, the environment, agriculture, manufacturing, communications and transport, information industry and modern service industries, population and health, urbanization and urban development, public security, and national defense, according to the outline of a national program.

The outline of the National Medium- and Long-term Program for Science and Technology Development for 2006-2020 was published by the State Council on Thursday.

The priorities in the energy industry cover energy conservationfor industrial production, clean and efficient use, liquidization and multi-purpose production of coal; prospecting, exploration andutilization of oil and gas resources under complicated geological conditions; low-cost development and utilization of renewable energy in a large scale; security of super large-scaled power transmission and distribution networks and power grids.

In the field of water and mining resources, priority will be given to the optimized distribution and comprehensive utilization of water resources, water conservation in an comprehensive way, desalting of sea water, prospecting for increasing resources reserve, efficient exploration and utilization of mining resources,and maritime and oceanic resources, and comprehensive planning forthe use of resources in different regions.

Priorities in the environmental sector are comprehensive control of pollution and recycling of wastes, rehabilitation and rebuilding of the functions of the ecological system in vulnerable ecological areas, marine ecological and environmental protection, monitoring of global environmental changes for countermeasures.

The priorities in the agricultural sector include exploration of seed resources, reservation and innovation as well as breeding of new species for pre-set purposes, health and disease control for animal and poultry breeding and aquatic production, fine- and deep-processing as well as modern storage and transport of farm products, comprehensive exploration and utilization of biological resources of agricultural and forest industries, development and manufacturing of environment-friendly fertilizers and farm chemicals as well environment-friendly farming, multi-functional farm equipment and facilities, precision operation and informationization of farming, and modern dairy industry.

The manufacturing sector will give priority to basic parts and universal parts, digitalization and computerization of designing and manufacturing, environment-friendliness and automation of integrated industrial production and equipment, recyclable and integrated process and equipment for iron and steel production, technology and equipment for large offshore engineering projects, basic raw materials, new-generation information-contained functional materials and parts, and key materials for the defense industry.

Priorities in the communication and transport industry include technology and equipment for building and maintenance of infrastructure, high-speed rail transport system, low energy-consuming and new-energy automobiles, efficient transport technology and equipment, intelligent traffic management system, safety and emergency support for communication and transport.

The information industry and modern service sector will give priority to supportive technology and large applicable software, key technology and services for the next-generation information network, efficient and reliable computers, sensor networking and intelligent information processing, content platform for digital media, high-definition and large screen plain-face monitors, information safety for the application of core technology.

Priorities for the population and health field are safe contraception, birth control, and prevention of birth deficiency; prevention and control of serious diseases like heart, brain and vascular diseases, prevention and control of epidemics in urban and rural communities, inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine, advanced medical equipment and biological materials for medical use.

Priorities for urbanization and urban development include regional planning and dynamic monitoring of cities, promotion of city's functions and efficient use of space, energy-efficiency of buildings and green buildings, quality ecological environment for urban residence, and information platform of cities.

In the public security field, priorities will be given to the national emergency information platform for public security, precaution and rescue for major industrial accidents, food safety and related entry-exit inspection and quarantine, prevention of and quick response to public emergencies, biological security, and monitoring and prevention of major natural calamities. 
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)