China says will push space programme to catch up WestChina said Thursday its rapidly growing space programme was the crowning achievement of the nation's high-tech transformation and pledged to continue to develop it to close the gap with Western countries. "I believe a space programme represents a country's high technology and I believe China has already become a major country in high technology," Vice Minister of Science and Technology Li Xueyong told reporters. "Our success shows not only the progress of the space programme but also our overall level of science and technology," he said at a press briefing. Li said China will invest 35 billion dollars in high-tech development this year, despite a budget squeeze due to an economic slowdown and massive government spending Government spending or government expenditure consists of government purchases, which can be financed by seigniorage, taxes, or government borrowing. It is considered to be one of the major components of gross domestic product. aimed at stimulating the economy. He provided no comparative figures, but data on his ministry's website showed the government spent 37 billion dollars in 2008, suggesting a slight decline this year. Still, Li noted that China's spending on science and technology has grown 40-fold since 1978, when the nation began to liberalise Verb 1. liberalise - become more liberal; "The laws liberalized after Prohibition" liberalize change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last its formerly state-planned economy, ushering in Noun 1. ushering in - the introduction of something new; "it signalled the ushering in of a new era" first appearance, introduction, debut, entry, launching, unveiling - the act of beginning something new; "they looked forward to the debut of their new product line" three decades of dramatic growth. The rapid economic development has allowed China to pour money into developing its high-tech abilities, and the country has notched a number of signature achievements. China has carried out three manned space missions, including a spacewalk Verb 1. spacewalk - move in space outside a space craft walk - use one's feet to advance; advance by steps; "Walk, don't run!"; "We walked instead of driving"; "She walks with a slight limp"; "The patient cannot walk yet"; "Walk over to the cabinet" , and put a lunar orbiter in space. Li said the programme would be even further expanded in future. "Compared to European countries and the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. there is still a large gap. That is why we must intensify in·ten·si·fy v. in·ten·si·fied, in·ten·si·fy·ing, in·ten·si·fies v.tr. 1. To make intense or more intense: our efforts in developing high-tech and related industries," he said. However, Li declined to provide specifics on how the funding would be allocated. 
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