(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-26 22:24

BEIJING, August 26 -- Chinese lawmakers convened on Sunday 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, as a way to encourage innovation, according to the draft amendment to the Law on Science and Technology Progress.

Heads of State-owned enterprises will also be appraised according to the scale of innovation-oriented investments, and innovative capacity and effeciency, the draft said, without further elaborating.

The draft has been tabled for deliberation at the ongoing meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

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 science and technology work," said Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang when making explanations of the draft amendment to legislators on Sunday.

Researchers will own the intellectual property rights -- save for those relating to national defense and national security, and concerning major social issues and public interest -- of government-sponsored science programs, the draft said.

It also stipulates the "first choice" in government procurement of "independent innovative" products or services provided by domestic individuals or enterprises.

According to the draft, 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.

To create a relaxed and encouraging academic environment, the draft reassures that researchers will be tolerated for failing a high-risk and highly challenging project.

Besides, program managers should establish credibility records for science workers to curb fraud, said the draft, which also asks researchers to be self-disciplined.