Construction to speed up on key science projects

China will speed up building a deep-sea scientific observation network and an observatory in the Antarctic before 2015, according to a development plan on the country's infrastructure construction for key science and technology projects from 2012 to 2030.

The plan was released on the Chinese central government's website on March 4. It targets the enhancement of the country's innovation capacity and sets goals for the country's science and technology development for the coming two decades.

The plan lists 16 important projects to be accelerated before 2015, which will be given priority in financial and political support.

The deep-sea observation network project will provide important information in guaranteeing the country's marine security, exploring deep-sea energy and resources, monitoring the marine environment and forecasting marine disasters.

From 2011 to 2015, about 50 key science and technology projects are scheduled to be launched. Before 2030, China will focus on seven areas including sustainable energy and space exploration to boost scientific and technological innovation.