The evaluation of science and technology has been contributing remarkably to the development of society globally; it makes policy and decision making more objective and scientific.

Khalid Malik, director of the UNDP Evaluation Office, says the conference is of great significance to China.

" We see it's a growing interest to have strong evaluation to have strong and credible information to base decisions and planning, and I think the time is right for China to strengthen its capability to deal with these questions, so we can support policy makers and managers better."

He said through this conference, people can learn from each other, learn about new methodologies and new approaches, and get ideas on how to deal with their own situations.

On China's achievements in this field, Malik said there is a growing political and philosophical commitment to having a strong evaluation system. But China is still in the first phase, and in need of new methodology. However, he believes that things will move forward quickly and smoothly.

Deng Nan, vice-minister of science and technology, noted that the evaluation system can be of great help to the government.

She says that, by providing us with concrete information, the evaluation helps the government to make objective and correct accessments of decision making and plan implementation.

According to Deng Nan, the evaluation system is important in the following four aspects: improving the decision making process; enhancing the macro-level management of technology; promoting innovation in the science and technology management system; and reinforcing the authority of the making and implementation of the national science plan.

She emphasized that the evaluation of major projects is also important for building clean government and preventing unreasonable decisions.

China established its National Center for Science and Technology Evaluation in 1993, since when it has evaluated many major scientific research programs, large high-tech projects, and ventures in high-tech development zones.

More than 100 senior administration personnel and evaluation experts from over 25 countries, including the U.S., Japan, and Canada, attended the conference.