A statement by China's top economic planner said it will bring together about 100 state laboratories for engineering innovation and research and development over the next three years, reported Xinhua news.

Details of the plan were released on Thursday by the National Development and Reform Commission.

The plan sets the goal that by 2012, three to five industrial clusters powered by high-technology should come into place, generating more than 100 billion yuan (S$21.6 billion) in industrial output.

The delta region is also expected to incubate three-to-five multinationals whose annual sales would reach 100 billion yuan by 2012.

Manufacturing powered by high-technology should generate at least 30 per cent of the region's total industrial output by 2020, said Xinhua.

Bridge to link Hong Kong, Macao and Delta A bridge linking Hong Kong, Macao and the Pearl River Delta is expected to start in 2009 and the central government will offer 5 billion yuan on its main body.

The plan was made public by Du Ying, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission at a news conference on Thursday.

The main body of the bridge stretches 29 km, the longest in the world. It will connect the country's three southern booming places of Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai.