The website of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) recently reported that the state marine sci-tech development program in the 11th Five-year Plan Period (2006-2010), the first of its kind, was jointly issued by the SOA, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the National Natural Science Foundation.

 

The program comprehensively analyzed the situation China's marine science and technology is facing, the development demands of the coastal area's socio-economy and the country's strategic requirements.

 

Putting the emphasis on supporting and leading roles of science and technology, considering the country's power and resources in this area as a whole, the program outlines the major tasks to be accomplished during the 2006-2010 period, promising that the nation's basic marine science research ability will be improved remarkably.

 

According to the program, new breakthroughs will be made relating to the independent research and exploitation ability of significant oceanic core technology. The sci-tech innovation system would also be perfected.

 

The program predicts that marine sci-tech would provide stronger support to the oceanic economy, management, disaster relief and safety issues while optimizing resource distribution and high-caliber personnel would increase by 30 percent. Up to 2020, the country's marine sci-tech is expected to reach the level of a medium-developed country.

 

To ensure the success of the program, eight key tasks were brought forward. They are: developing the marine inspection and forecast technology to improve the ability of safeguarding marine environment; developing the exploitation and protection technology to push the marine economy forward; expanding marine science research; carrying out research on marine management to promote sustainable development; bringing key projects into effect to meet the country's strategic demand; advancing the construction of marine innovation systems; strengthening the construction of the sci-tech platform and enhancing oceanic sci-tech education to build a stronger pool of talents.

 

To guarantee its implementation, the program also put forward many measures such as increasing sci-tech input, deepening institutional reform, widening international cooperation, and enhancing the public's consciousness of the oceans.

 

(China.org.cn by Zhou Jing December 1, 2006)