Domestic and overseas scientists are being invited to contribute to a blueprint mapping out the future of science in China over the next 15 years.

The blueprint will cover areas such as agriculture, energy, ocean resources, environmental protection, urban development, modernization of manufacturing industries, transportation, national defence, population and health, food security, production safety, and modern tertiary industries.

"It is the first time that the country has included modern tertiary industries in the national scientific plan-- that is, using information technology to propel the development of logistics services, tourism, electronic business and finance, distance-learning and other fields,'' said Shi Dinghuan, secretary-general of the Ministry of Science and Technology, at a press conference yesterday in Beijing.

"It is also the first time that the government has invited the public, including foreign experts, to contribute to the national scientific plan. The move aims to help make the blueprint more scientific, pragmatic and transparent,'' said Shi.

He said the State Council has set up a leading group, with Premier Wen Jiabao as its head, that includes senior representatives from 20 ministries or commissions under the cabinet to formulate this long-term plan.

The public are welcome to log on the Ministry of Science and Technology's website http://gh.most.gov.cn to voice their opinions and suggestions for the plan.

Its organizers will also use major newspapers, radio and television to publicize progress on the plan.

The ministry will also use China's embassies to foreign countries to hold scientific forums among overseas Chinese scholars and foreign scientists to canvass their opinions, said Shi.

He said an international forum will be held tomorrow and on Friday to invite foreign scientists to discuss the country's long-term scientific plan.

In related news, the National Development and Reform Commission is also seeking comments from the public as it formulates the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), according to Xinhua News Agency.

It is the first time the authorities have sought the opinions of domestic and overseas experts on the plan, commission official Yang Weimin said.

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