China unveils five-year plan for bioeconomy

China’s top economic regulator unveiled a new plan to spur the bioeconomy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), in a bid to promote high-quality development of the sector.

The new document, released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said it is important to boost the bioeconomy during the next five years, to help meet the rising domestic demand for healthcare and better lives. NDRC said the new plan is in line with the requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan, which pledged to promote the integration and innovation of biotechnology and information technology, as well as accelerate the development of biomedicine, biological breeding, biomaterials, bioenergy and other industries to enhance bioeconomy in scope and strength.