A debate by professionals on China's 12th Five-Year Development Plan (2011-15) with regard to the biological industry was completed by an expert consultative committee on Monday, paving the way for the plan to be submitted to the State Council for approval, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

In line with the plan, China's biological industry development is to focus on five sectors — bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-agriculture, bio-energy, biological environment protection and biological service outsourcing — during the 12th Five-Year Development Plan period. The value of nation's biological industry is expected to reach 4 trillion yuan ($635 billion) by 2015 and between 8 trillion yuan and 10 trillion yuan by 2020. The plan also prioritizes local development of genetic engineering.

Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice-chairman of the NDRC, said the commission's high-tech department will cooperate with related government departments to revise and improve the plan based on suggestions from experts and submit it to the State Council, China's Cabinet, as soon as possible.