Chinese scientists did not just announce the first complete map of the indica rice genome on Thursday, but the first complete genome map of a plant. This is another major achievement by Chinese scientists in the field of genetics, leading on from the working draft of the indica rice genome published last year.

One of the principle researchers of the project, Dr. Yu Jun, explains:

"The complete map covers 97 percent of rice genes, and the same percentage has been located in its chromosomes. That means we can tell you the exact sequence and location of 97 percent of rice genes. When a gene is known to have certain functions, we can easily identify its chromosomes."

Indica rice, and rice cross-bred with indica, account for 80 percent of the world's rice output. A genome map will help people understand this important crop a lot better. It lays the foundations for the study of rice genomes and proteins, and explains its natural pattern of growth, disease prevention and yield. It has huge potential in scientific research and agriculture production.

The deputy minister of Science and Technology Liu Yanhua says China has led the world in the research of hybrid rice. Biological studies play a vital role in helping the country achieve sustainable agricultural development.

"The government is investing more heavily in the study of genomics. In the first half of the 1990s, we invested only 50 million yuan (US$6 million) in this field. The figure jumped to 200 million (US$24 million) in the latter part of the 90s. We plan to increase investment ten-fold in the five years from 2001 to 2005."

The completion of the full indica rice genome indicates China's leading position in genome studies. It has attracted the world's attention in the field.

(People's Daily December 13, 2002)