After year of progress, proposals to boost nation's sci-tech edge

China will enhance its capacity for scientific and technological innovation with action plans to support basic research and institutional reform, according to the government work report released at the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress on Saturday.

In a review of last year's achievements, it noted that China's strategic science and technology capabilities expanded at a fast pace, with major advances in research on core technologies in key fields such as manned spaceflight, Mars exploration, resource exploration, energy projects and other areas.

The government also boosted the development of national laboratories and promoted implementation of major science and technology programs. Central government's management of scientific and technological research funding improved, giving institutes more decision-making power over their research.

Fully implementing science and technology policies will be key to fulling this year's development goals, the report noted. Specifically, China will press ahead with a 10-year action plan on basic research to ensure stable long-term support.

A three-year action plan for reforming the national science and technology management system will be enacted. Other objectives include reinforcing national strategic science and technology capabilities, leveraging the strengths of laboratories, advancing the reform of research institutes, and improving approval procedures for major science and technology projects and their management.

Local governments will be encouraged to increase spending on science and technology and promote innovation with distinctive regional features.

Meanwhile, China will continue to engage in international scientific and technological cooperation, and enhance efforts to build talent centers and innovation hubs of global importance.

It will also improve institutions and mechanisms for talent development, provide more support to young researchers, and encourage outstanding people to devote themselves to research and realize their full potential, the report said.