BEIJING - Forty-four experts of various fields were appointed Tuesday for a four-year engagement in government-funded projects of advanced and strategic technologies under the State High-Tech Development Plan, or "Program 863."

Another 273 experts were appointed by various subject groups to work for the program for the next three years. They will provide advice on the program's development strategies, goals, tasks and deployment, and supervise its operation.

Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang told an inaugural session of the program's experts' committee that "Program 863" should continue to be "strategic, advanced and forward-looking."

Wan said scientists should constantly strengthen coordination and technological integration, allocation of resources and talents, and international cooperation, so as to accelerate technological progress and innovation and contribute to China's economic, social and technological development as well as national defence.

Named after its date of establishment (March 1986), "Program 863" focuses on key fields such as biotechnology, space, information. automation, energy, new materials, telecommunications and marine technology.

Major innovation breakthroughs of the program include Tianhe-1, one of the world's fastest supercomputers, manned deep-sea research submersible "Jiaolong," and super hybrid rice.