Chinese scientists are committed to producing technological breakthroughs in pressurizer nuclear plants, new-type rockets and large transport planes to meet the needs of national economic development.

These civilian high-tech fronts will get reinforcements from the country's defence industry, which has been seeking to shift its technology to civilian uses.

This was revealed at a two-day national defence science and technology industry convention, which will close Wednesday in Beijing.

To satisfy the country's mounting demand for electricity, scientists are working on the key technologies with regard to pressurized water reactor nuclear plants, each capable of generating thousands of megawatts of power, said a spokesman of the meeting.

Such nuclear plants, together with others being built or in operation, will contribute up to 5 per cent of the entire electricity generation capacity by 2010, up from the current 1.3 per cent, said spokesman Wu Weiren.

Chinese scientists are also developing a new family of carrier rockets, powered by liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen and refined kerosene, which produces powerful propulsion and leaves no pollution or poison, according to the meeting sources.

Such powerful rockets will enable China to launch all kinds of satellites to be developed in the world in the coming 20 to 30 years, according to Zhang Qingwei, president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

Wu did not specify a timetable for both the nuclear and rocket projects.

But he said China welcomes international co-operation in a series of key high-tech projects, including the development of plane engines and advanced shipbuilding expertise.

Close

Today's Top News		Top National News
+Bush says opposes Taiwan referendum ( 2003-12-10) +Tariff rate cuts to continue, official says ( 2003-12-09) +Killer of 17 to be executed ( 2003-12-09) +Suicide bomb hits heart of Moscow, Chinese among injured ( 2003-12-09) +Guangdong to sell off islands ( 2003-12-09)		+Sights set on ambitious sci-tech development ( 2003-12-10) +Killer of 17 to be executed ( 2003-12-09) +Working hours reform piloted ( 2003-12-09) +Bush says opposes Taiwan referendum ( 2003-12-10) +Massive red tide near Shantou recedes ( 2003-12-09)