Engineers conduct equipment debugging for the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT) system, one of China's major scientific engineering projects. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By ZHONG Jianli

The Ministry of Science and Technology of China recently issued the Regulations on Nomination for National Science and Technology Awards, in a bid to further standardize the nomination process for the awards and motivate scientists' enthusiasm for sci-tech innovation.

The newly released regulations state that the nomination for national science and technology awards should strengthen incentives for basic research in natural science and applied science. It encourages both cutting-edge technology research and research with social welfare implications.

Moreover, the regulations have emphasized the support for national major sci-tech missions, major sci-tech infrastructure, and vital engineering projects.

Of particular note is that the regulations stress importance of creative contributions of nominees, stating that nominees should be scientists and front-line technical personnel who have genuinely made creative contributions.

Eligible nominators include recipients of the highest national sci-tech awards, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as individuals who have been primary awardees for National Natural Science Awards of second class or higher, National Technology Invention Awards of first class or higher, and National Science and Technology Progress Awards of first class or higher since the year 2000.

The nominators themselves should not be candidates for the national sci-tech awards in the same year, and should not participate in the evaluation of awards in which they have proposed nominees.

To improve the nomination process, the regulations call for increased academic oversight. Before nominations are made, the opinions of no fewer than five experts in the relevant professional fields need to be sought.

In terms of maintaining discipline and fostering a positive atmosphere, the regulations outline several measures, including establishing a clear supervisory mechanism, exerting stricter penalties for violations, and setting up a "blacklist" credit management system.

That means the names of individuals and organizations engaging in dishonest behavior during the nomination process will be recorded in the database, and punitive measures will be implemented in accordance with relevant national regulations.