An introduction to China’s Science & tech. Programs CHENG, Xu May 23,2006 Department of Computer Science and Technology College of EECS, Peking University

China’s main S&T Programs  National Natural Science Foundation of China  National Basic Research Priorities Program (973 Program)  Hi-Tech Research and Development Program (863 Program)  Key Technologies R&D Program  Torch Program  Spark Program  National New Products Program  …

KEY TECHNOLOGIES R&D PROGRAM  Formulated with the purposes of fully carrying out the functions of the central government to meet specific needs in the multiple aspects of capital construction, technical reform, upgrading of industries, development of agriculture, sustainable development of society, etc. in the country. It embodies the principle of orienting science and technology towards the main fields of economic development.

TORCH PROGRAM  A guidance program for developing new/high tech industries in China  To develop a number of new/high tech enterprises with modernized enterprise systems and famous brand products; promote the technical and managerial levels of a number of township enterprises that already have necessary conditions; and support a batch of private technology enterprises.

SPARK PROGRAM  Program to promote the development of rural economy via science and technology.  The purpose of the program is to introduce advanced, appropriate technologies into the rural areas and lead the farmers to rely on science and technology in the rural areas, promote rural productivity, and a sustainable, rapid and healthy development of agriculture and rural economy.

Introduction to 863 Program  National High Tech R&D Program (also referred to as 863 Program) was launched in March 1986 with the aim of enhancing China’s international competitiveness and improving China’s overall capacity of R&D in high tech areas.

Areas of the Program  Information Technology  Advanced manufacturing & Automation  New Materials  Energy Technology  Biotech & modern agriculture  Resources and environment

Area consists of topics, e.g. I T  Computer hardware and software  Telecommunication  Information acquisition and processing  Information security

Key projects of the Program  Software  Microelectronics  Electric automobile  Transrapid  Water pollution control  New medicines  etc.

Structure of the 863 Program 863 Program Area Key Project Topic

Organizational structure of the Program  Coordination and Leading Group  Program Joint Office  Area Office  Consulting Expert Group  Area Expert Committee  Topic Expert Group

Function of the organization  Government: target, task and decision making  Expert Committee(Area): Consulting, evaluation and monitoring  Expert Group(Topic): projects execution and Process management

Decision making and implementation process  Feasibility study of strategy  Release of call for projects by the Expert Group  Evaluation of applications by internal and external experts  Result of the evaluation reported to the Expert Committee for consulting  Big projects submitted to open debate  Approval of the MOST

Decision making and implementation process(con’t)  Sign the contracts  The MOST funds the projects  Carrying out of the projects  Half-way checking and monitoring  Result assessment and conclusion  Technology transfer and spin-off

International Collaboration, e.g. Sino-EU  863 Program and Framework Program of the EU are open to each other  Principle: mutual interests and benefits on the basis of equality and efficiency  Jointly apply for projects in both programs  Exchange researchers and seminars, Co-investment of Joint projects  Other coordinated actions  Achievements of IT: GSM, TDS-CDMA, etc.

Thank you!