China’s basic science research funding doubles in 5 years

2018-02-11
Xinhua

BEIJING — China’s financial input in R&D of basic sciences doubled in the past five years from 41.2 billion yuan (about $6.5 billion) in 2011 to 82.3 billion yuan in 2016, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology on Feb 11.

The percentage of funding for basic science R&D in the central government’s total financial input in science and technology has reached the level of developed countries, said Zhang Xiaoyuan, an official overseeing resource allocation and management at the ministry.

The government currently supports basic science research by either directly giving money to research institutions or allowing them to bid for projects, Zhang said at a news conference.

“Each of the two forms of financial support now makes up about half of the total,” said Zhang, adding that financial input from businesses and other forces of the society remains low.

He said the central government will further encourage the participation of local governments and businesses in the implementation of major projects on basic science research in the future and explore means of charity and donation.

The State Council recently released guidelines on strengthening research in basic sciences to lay out basic principles and major arrangements.