Chinese scientists warn crippling red tape, restrictions risk balking Beijing’s bid to create ‘new productive forces’
- Government adviser warns of continued impediments to scientific progress from bureaucratic red tape and the pursuit of recognition over concrete innovation
- Minister of science and technology also vows steps will be taken to free young talent from tedious tasks, in line with President Xi Jinping’s push for tech self-sufficiency
Beijing has acknowledged that the way Chinese scientists go about conducting research – often finding themselves over-encumbered by arduous red tape and becoming obsessed with recognition as they compete for funding – is impeding progress in the nation’s push for “productive forces” that drive innovation and tech self-sufficiency.
And government advisers have renewed long-standing calls for reforms to reduce burdens in academia, meet the needs of scientists and recruit fresh minds into research fields while promoting their ideas and turning them into concrete results.
Young talent, in particular, remains hindered by red tape despite repeated pleas and promised efforts to ease such burdens.
These weigh on the country’s ambitions to push for tech-led economic growth, according to Yuan Yaxiang, a national committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which advises and submits proposals to government bodies on political and social issues.
“The unreasonable formats and bureaucratic requirements are all too common, with some forms and application procedures neglecting the needs of scientific researchers,” Yuan, who is vice-chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, told the press last week during the “two sessions” parliamentary gatherings in Beijing.
