Lawmakers convened yesterday to discuss the draft amendment to a key science progress law, which further clarifies the country's strategy of boosting science development through innovation.

Science workers will be given more incentives and high-tech enterprises more favorable policies to encourage innovation, according to the draft amendment to the Law on Science and Technology Progress.

The draft has been tabled for deliberation at the ongoing meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The draft, a revision to the previous one taking effect in 1993, is to "make clear China's strategies and principles on science and technology development and write into law the successes and progress China has made in the sector," Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang said when making explanations to legislators yesterday.

Researchers will own the intellectual property rights of government-sponsored science programs, the draft said.

The government will offer favorable policies on taxation and fund-raising to enterprises, especially high-tech ones, a practice that underscores their "principal role in China's science and technology development", Wan said.

The draft law will also guarantee funds from the State to help assimilation, absorption and re-innovation of technologies and equipment introduced from foreign countries.

It also seeks to encourage the contribution from outstanding Chinese scientists and technicians having returned from foreign studies by stipulating that these people "will not be bound by the household registration system", which limits people from free migration.

(China Daily August 27, 2007)