China has spent more on science and education in 1999, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Figures from the bureau showed the aggregate investment in scientific research and poly-technical services last year reached 11.21 billion yuan (about 1.35 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 32.9 percent on an annual basis.

At the same time, investment in education, culture, health care, broadcasting and social welfare amounted to 96.40 billion yuan ( about 11.57 billion U.S. dollars), up 17.2 percent year on year.

The Chinese government has placed the development of science and education high on its agenda in an effort to accelerate the country's modernization process.