BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhuanet) -- China's top science strategist said here Monday that China will "undoubtedly" launch itself into the world's top five science powers within the next 15 years.

    "In some areas we now have some advantages and we might be among the top three,"Lu Yongxiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said,

    The prestigious CAS recently published its 15-year research outline that focuses on strengthening its innovation capabilities.

    At a briefing for the research outline, Lu, who is also a CAS academician, said, "Considering the targeted economic development pace, China will be ranked at least third in economic strength by 2020."

    "A country with such a huge economic power will no doubt lead most countries in scientific research and education," said Lu, whowas elected as one of vice-chairmen of the 10th National People's Congress Standing Committee.

    Lu said, "Developing countries must sharpen their innovative edge in order to keep abreast of developed countries in research capability."

    "Core technologies can never be obtained by purchasing them," hesaid.

    "If we have well-advised state policies, sustained economic development and peaceful international environment," Lu said, "China will substantially enhance its research capability very soon."

    According to the Guidelines on National Medium- and Long-term Program for Science and Technology Development (2006-2020) which was released last month, China will put roughly 900 billion yuan (111.8 billion U.S. dollars) into research and development in 2020,accounting for 2.5 percent of the expected gross domestic product,likely making it a world leader.

    The CAS has integrated its 15-year development plan with the national sci-tech guidelines, underlining research on quantum, brain and cognitive science, animal and stem cell cloning as well as coded telecommunication based on quantum technologies.

    Lu said his academy allocates about 70 percent of its annual research and development funds to 100 subsidiary research institutes, encouraging their innovative and frontier research. The remaining 30 percent is put into interdisciplinary scientific research.

    "We are confident of being among the top three research academies throughout the world," Lu said, adding that the CAS willperform as the world-leading research base, scientists training base and high technologies base. Enditem (By Xinhua Science Writer Yu Zheng )