Hybrid rice, cloned monkeys and mythical dragons

Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said: "Our nation has a rare historical opportunity to catch up or even surpass other countries in science and technology, while we also face the monumental challenge of being left behind.

"Only through fully enhancing our innovation capability and achieving leapfrog development in key science and technology fields can we obtain strategic initiative in the next generation of global competition."

Wang said the external geopolitical climate has changed dramatically in recent years, as trade and innovation frictions between China and the United States become increasingly intense and complex.