China will allocate 4.8 billion yuan (US$615.4 million) in the 2006-2010 period for improving the facilities of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS), the country's top scientific research institution.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced the move Tuesday, noting that the funding aims to narrow the gap between the academy and its counterparts in developed countries.

CAS launched a project of innovations in 1998 funded by the government, and a plan for the third phase of the project has just been approved by the NDRC, an official with the commission said.

The newly-allocating funds will support the implementation of the plan, enhance research conditions for the major sectors including aero-space, photoelectricity and information sciences and facilitate innovations in life science, new energy sources and green industries.

The Chinese government has been increasing investment in scientific research in recent years to promote sustainable and sound development of the economy.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2006)