China's State Council, or the cabinet, approved three national technological projects, one of which was pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation, during Wednesday's executive meeting that deliberated the three projects, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao. The drug innovation project would target the treatment and prevention of serious diseases and innovation of key drugs so as to offer the public safe, effective and cheap medical products, the meeting said.

"These technological projects, all set in the national medium- and long-term science and technology development plan, are of great significance to boosting China's independent innovation capability and industrial competitiveness," the meeting pointed out.

It said that "after a scientific, democratic and strict demonstration", the three schemes had become ripe for inauguration.

The next-generation communication network represents the main direction of communications development. Applying it will greatly enhance the overall competitiveness and innovative capacity of China's wireless mobile communication, and lift the industry to a more advanced world level, according to the meeting.

It said that the water pollution control project would provide solid technological support to address environmental woes of major water sources including the Yangtze River and Yellow River, to achieve an "energy saving and emission reduction" goal.

It said that the drug innovation project would target the treatment and prevention of serious diseases and innovation of key drugs so as to offer the public safe, effective and cheap medical products.

(Xinhua)