China To Increase Science & Research Spending To 2.5% Of GDP - AFP

[hatrack]

China announced plans Thursday to dramatically boost spending on research and development in a quest to make the transition from the world's top manufacturer to one of its most important innovators. The State Council, or cabinet, said 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) would be allocated to spending on research and development over the next 15 years.

China's expenditure on research and development was 1.23 percent of GDP in 2002 and 0.83 percent in 1999, according to state media.

The plan, reported by the official Xinhua news agency, aims to make China one of the world's top five countries in scientific and technological development by 2020. The government will not only allocate more money but also encourage all segments of society, including companies, to put emphasis on research and development.

by 2020, science and technology innovations will contribute 60 percent or more to the country's overall development, according to the ambitious plan. The country's reliance on foreign technology will decline to 30 percent or lower by that time.

EDIT

http://www.sinodaily.com/reports/China_To_Boost_Science_Tech_Spending_To_Two_And_A_Half_Percent_Of_GDP.html

[thecrow]

1. Hmmm they got the idea from * I guess...

Oh but *'s mentioning means *his* plan will be severely underfunded or shot in the back, buried in some other bill.