China is set to develop technologies for deep space, deep earth, deep ocean and the deep-blue cyber sector in a bid to gain strategic and broad advantages in technology, according to the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) for science, technology and innovation, released on Monday, Aug. 8, by the State Council.
The plan would include the setting up of space stations services, deep-ocean installations and Mars exploration by 2030, China Daily reported.
The new technologies are also aimed at more specific plans for moon exploration in 2018 and Mars in 2020, including plans to deep-ocean probe for mineral search and the observation of the polar regions.
The plan aims to develop sustainable ocean resources and preserve ecological balance, as well as enhance ways to predict natural conditions and disasters.
"The plan illustrates the strategic aims of the nation," Xu Jing, director of the Department of Innovation and Development at the Ministry of Science and Technology, said. "It addresses cutting-edge leading trends."
Xue Lan, dean of School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, expressed confidence for the role of China in the age of innovation.
"We have improved much in terms of national science capability in recent years," Xue said. "This is the first time China has been presented with a chance to lead an industrial revolution, and we have to grasp that chance."
Xue also noted that in recent years, the published works of Chinese researchers have increased. China is expected to move to second place in the world ranking by 2020, from fourth place in 2015, based on the master plan. The country will also pursue other less known projects that include quantum communication and brain science.
"Sometimes the lesser-known ones make great differences too," Xu said.
China was also able to improve its ability to combat infectious diseases as it was able to develop a vaccine for swine flu and made immediate action to control Ebola.
Xue added that the master plan also aims to promote applied science, with more emphasis on the national economy.
"Some of the breakthroughs are not in the technology, but in the commercial patterns that come with it," Xue said.