The Ministry of Science and Technology held the celebration ceremony for 20th Anniversary of the National Key Laboratories Development .Program and 5th   Anniversary of the National Program on Key Basic Research Projects (973 Program) in Beijing on Dec. 23. Mme. CHEN Zhili, State Councilor took part in the celebration ceremony and delivered an important speech. Mr. LI Xueyong, Vice Minister of Science and Technology presided over the ceremony and Vice Minister CHENG Jinpei made the working report. Mr. ZHOU Guangzhao, Chairman of China Association for Science and Technology and leader of the Expert Consultant Team of 973 Program made a speech themed on Basic Researches and National Objectives. Principals from the State Development Planning Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, the Ministry of Finance, the General Armament Department of the PLA, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Association for Science and Technology as well as other departments and units took part in the event.

By the end of 2003, there had been 161 national key laboratories and 6 experimental national laboratories in China, and 157 projects had been arranged for the National Program on Key Basic Research Projects in batches. In the ongoing Medium and long-term Development Planning for China's S&T attention will be paid to these two programs, and basic researches of China will have greater supports and development.

At the celebration ceremony, 37 collectives for the National Key Laboratories Development Program, 5 excellent contributors for the National Key Laboratories Development Program, 82 individuals for the National Key Laboratories Development Program and 106 advanced individuals for the 973 Program were awarded.