China is revamping its sci-tech administration system. The first session of the 14th National People’s Congress approved a plan to reform its state institutions under the State Council. In this plan, a revamp of the country’s science and technology ministry has attracted much attention. Under the plan, some of the ministry’s existing functions will be allocated to other government bodies, while a new commission — the Central Science and Technology Commission — will be established above the restructured ministry. After restructuring, the Ministry of Science and Technology will no longer take part in evaluating and managing specific research projects. Instead, it will mainly be responsible for guiding and supervising the operation and management of scientific research institutions, supervising the implementation of scientific research projects and evaluating their results. This substantial shift in the sci-tech administration system is expected to unleash the internal vitality of the country. All sectors of society have high hopes for this sci-tech reform as innovation is a must for China to achieve high-quality growth amid the current global decoupling trend.
Science and technology is a primary productive force. It is also an intellectual activity conducted by human beings as they explore this world. Its progress has its own patterns that should be safeguarded by the social systems. In May 2021, at the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that “more autonomy should be given to research institutions, and scientists must be further empowered to decide their technical routes and how to use research funds. The goal is to free scientists and research institutions from tedious, unnecessary institutional restraints.” It is clear that the current system does not meet the urgent need for scientific innovation.
