China aims to raise spending on scientific research and development to 2 percent of GDP by 2010, according to a government document issued on Friday.

The ratio edged up to a record 1.23 percent in China in 2004, far below the standard of developed countries.

The National Scientific and Technological Development Program of the 11th Five-Year Plan Period (2006-2010), issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, says China will establish a national innovation system, a rational scientific and technological development structure and strive to make major breakthroughs and leapfrog development in certain major areas during the 2006-2010 period.

A ministry official said China will further reform its innovation mechanisms and strengthen the role of enterprises as the main participants in technological innovation.
"We aim to set up a technological innovation system that has enterprises as the main participants. It will be market-oriented and supported by close cooperation between industry, colleges and research institutions," said the official.

He said existing policies will be upgraded to stimulate innovation.

He added that efforts would be made to enhance innovation in key technologies in the energy, resources and environmental sectors, upgrade industrial technology, beef up integration of multiple technologies, bolster national security guarantee capabilities and conduct perspicacious basic research as well as frontier technology research.

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