BEIJING - China spent 10.63 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) on science public education in 2011, an increase of 5.57 percent year-on-year, the Ministry of Science and Technology announced on Monday.

Of the 10.63 billion yuan, 5.894 billion was spent on science public education activities, 2.197 billion went to building venues, with the rest on administration and other items.

According to official statistics, the country amassed a total of 10.53 billion yuan for the public education, with 68.94 percent provided by government.

By the end of 2011, China had 1,681 science public education venues, with a floor space exceeding 500 square meters.

China attaches great importance to science public education and aims at providing people with basic science knowledge.