China’s tech self-reliance push puts awards system for scientists under microscope
- Academician status brings privileges such as funding and influence over government policy, but selection is seen as encouraging cronyism
- There should be ‘a strict threshold on the quality of selection of academicians … for the nation’s strategic needs’, Vice-Premier Liu He says
Liu met top science academics in Guangzhou on Tuesday to discuss the progress of reform of the country’s most prestigious awards system for top scientists, known as yuanshi, or academicians. While noting improvements since reforms were first mooted nearly a decade ago, Liu said more needed to be done.
“There needs to be a strict threshold on the quality of selection of academicians, and a focus on the exclusive and the academic nature [of the awards], so the system could play its role for the nation’s strategic needs,” Liu was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua.
Claims of cronyism and corruption have amplified calls for change in how Chinese scientists are promoted.
05:27
China must rely on its ‘internal market for innovation’, says sociology Prof Lau Siu Kai
This year’s nomination of Wang Li, chief engineer of Kweichow Moutai – maker of a brand of baijiu, China’s national spirit – for one of Guizhou province’s top academic accolades sparked debate over whether producing liquor merited such an honour. Wang was not shortlisted, but it again raised questions about the opaque selection process.