Minister XU Guanhua urged the science community, in 2007, to focus on implementing science plans, collaborate on tackling research challenges and work for breakthroughs in S&T work at the national conference.

MOST would take following eight issues as areas of focus in 2007:

1.      to conduct feasibility studies on the major special projects listed in the National Medium and Long-term S&T Development Plan and officially launch some of them;

2.      to implement projects in the priority areas such as marine resources and environment, renewable energies, addressing issues that restrain social and economic development;

3.      to encourage and support basic research and cutting-edge technologies, improving China’s original innovative capabilities;

4.      to develop modern agriculture and upgrade innovative capabilities in agro-technology;

5.      to underpin efforts in building a harmonious society with more science work benefiting social development;

6.      to deepen management reform of the science system, focusing on institutional development;

7.      to increase local and sectoral S&T efforts by attending to major projects, innovative capability and environment development;

8.      to create a new scenario for international science cooperation by utilizing global resources