The "Science and Technology Achievements of the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05)" exhibition opened yesterday at the Haidian Exhibition Center in Beijing, showcasing the progress that China has made in the two fields.

One of the exhibitors was the Wuhan-based Dongfeng Electric Vehicle Co Ltd, which showed off two HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) prototypes.

Dongfeng 6110, an HEV bus, can reach a top speed of more than 80 kilometers per hour, and consumes 30 percent less petrol than a regular bus of the same size.

With a combustion engine, an electric motor and a storage battery, the HEV is more energy-efficient and emits less fumes than conventional vehicles.

"We are now waiting for a license from the National Development and Reform Commission, and plan to put it into small-scale production by the end of this year," Fu Jun, deputy general manager of Dongfeng, said.

Fu said the company's other prototype, the EQ7200 HEV sedan, will go into production next year.

"Our first batch of clients will be city bus companies and government departments," Fu said.

The company won a bid from the 863 Program, the nation's high-tech research and development program, to develop China's hybrid vehicles in 2001.

"We have full IPR (intellectual property rights) for the two HEVs," Fu said.

Also announced at the exhibition was China's plans for a new type of "feederliner," or regional jet, a small aircraft which allows for efficient domestic air transportation.

The ARJ21-700, a fanjet-powered plane designed by China Aviation Industry Corporation I, can accommodate 70 to 90 passengers. Production will begin in 2007, with first sales to clients slated for 2009.

State councilor Chen Zhili visited the exhibition.

Guided by "innovation" and "industrialization," the Chinese science and technology circle has contributed a lot to the country's sustainable development program, Chen said.

The 10-day exhibition is sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Finance.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2005)