During the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010), the central government will increase investment in the six fields of rural development, development of central and western regions, social undertakings, science and technology, protection of eco-system and environment, as well as infrastructure construction.

This is learned from Yang Qingwei, head of the investment division under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Nov. 12.

Yang said the entire agriculture will be the top priority of government investment. During that period, and a number of projects will be accelerated in the next five years so as to improve farmers' production and living conditions and safeguard drinking water safety.

The country will exert efforts to tackle the bottleneck of resources to curb the further deterioration of eco-system and environment. The balanced development of different regions is an important task for the five-year period, so the government will continue to increase its investment in vast western areas, and northeast provinces, he said.

The government will also enhance investment in compulsory education, public health and other social causes, and offer help to lift up China's capability of innovation, he said.

The government will support the research and development of high-speed railway, new energy technology and other advanced technology, he said.

The government will speed up some environment-friendly projects including the Huai River improvement project, urban waste water and garbage disposal, protecting grassland from pastures and the construction of natural reserve zones, he said.

In terms of infrastructure, Yang said it has been made clear that the country will continue its support for the South-North Water Diversion, major water projects in Guangxi, Xinjiang and regional airports in the western region.

Zhu Zhixin, deputy director of NDRC, said that the year of 2006 is the opening year of the 11th Five-Year Plan Period, and China will maintain the stability and flexibility of its macro-economic policy and make moderate adjustment at proper times.

By People's Daily Online