China Media Group (CMG):

China has forged ahead and overcome challenges in reforming the science and technology management system. What progress has been made in this regard since the 18th CPC National Congress? What are the priorities for future reforms? What hard measures will be adopted? Thank you.

Wang Zhigang:

Thank you for your question. It is an important issue. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the reform of the science and technology management system has been an essential component in China's reform efforts and has always been given a top priority. The development of science and technology should support scientific and technological activities and provide the driving force for development. We have always pursued the innovation of science and technology and that of systems and institutions. The innovation of systems and institutions means reform. Productivity decides relations of production, which are both subject and conducive to productivity. Science and technology are productive, and their reform is mainly to improve the relations of production. Through the reform, key players, activities, and environment in China's innovation will be enhanced to encourage more people to devote themselves to science and technology and to stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity for innovation, which has been reflected in laws, policies, culture and the spirit of our nation's scientists.

The 143 reform tasks set out in the Implementation Plan for Deepening Scientific and Technological System Reform have been completed. Recently, we have introduced a three-year action plan to advance the reform of the science and technology management system. That is to say, in addition to the 143 tasks, further reforms are needed to deal with some tough issues.

We have introduced new rounds of interlocking reforms one after another to go deeper. The reform will not stop. The changing development situation requires us to deepen reform to make China's systems, institutions, and social and cultural atmosphere better meet the needs of scientific and technological development and the demands of scientists and technicians.

First, we have deepened the reform of evaluation and incentive systems for science and technology. Using evaluation as a baton, we can evaluate them by praise and criticism, or by reward and punishment and other means. How to classify them is key in evaluation. Basic research, technological innovation, the application of scientific and technological advances, and high-tech industries have different evaluation methods because each has a different target despite being interrelated. The national science and technology regulators should have an overall plan and detailed classifications for innovation entities, focusing on both the interplay between different types of innovation entities and their differences, which is an important aspect of science and technology evaluation. The evaluation aims to arouse people's enthusiasm for and enduring dedication to sci-tech research, having their research focus on the major needs of economic and social development as well as those of national security, and identify scientific and technological issues more accurately to shore up the weak links in China's development.

Second, we have further reformed research programs' management and funding. Funds serve researchers, and the program management should be oriented to the frontiers of science and technology, the main battleground of the economy, the major national needs, and the people's lives and health. Management of science and technology projects should make funds more efficient and standardized. The majority of the sci-tech personnel in China are good and trustworthy. The management should be based on the trust that they can devote themselves to scientific research and properly use funds, with many of them bound to deliver.

Meanwhile, we must use institutional means to better manage the funds. Some scientists need to take responsibility for their research, and some young scientists need to be given opportunities. All of these need to be achieved by managing program funds so that the funds can truly serve people's creative activities.

Third, we have solved the problem of applying for scientific and technological advances. We have revised the Law on Promoting the Application of Scientific and Technological Advances to grant as much as possible the right to use, dispose of, and benefit from the application of scientific and technological achievements to the entities and individual innovators, giving rise to several supporting chains and platforms, including makers' spaces, incubators, and accelerators for tech firms. Whoever wants to make the application will be provided with services and supports from the government in different stages. In 2021, the transaction of technology contracts nationwide reached 3.73 trillion yuan, exceeding the country's total R&D expenditure of 2.79 trillion yuan, which is 5.8 times that of ten years ago.

Fourth, we have championed the spirit of our nation's scientists. Their spirit is an important part of China's science and technology culture. We should foster the spirit to guide the development of science and technology and form scientific values. We have issued a special policy document in this regard to promote the spirit. Just now, Mr. Li Xiaohong mentioned that many scientists had made remarkable achievements in major programs during the fight against COVID-19. They tend to be prompt in action and prudent in speech, bury themselves in their work and make great contributions. We should pass on the spirit from generation to generation to attract young generations to join the scientific research community, so that China's science and technology will have a promising prospect.

Next, we will continue our reform efforts. Reform lends momentum to innovation; innovation drives development. We will continue to promote sci-tech innovation to support the country's socio-economic development, national security, and people's health. Thank you.

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