China to Convert Large Research Institutions into Independent EnterprisesChina will transform more than 100 large state-owned scientific research institutions under the ministries into independently-run enterprises by the end of this year.It is a major step in the reform of China's research bodies, according to the latest issue of "Beijing Review". Two hundred and fourty-two state-owned research organs were turned into or merged with independently-operated enterprises in 1999. Xu Guanhua, vice minister of Science and Technology, was quoted as saying at a recent national conference that technological development and research organs attached to the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Communications and some other ministries will be required to become independently-run enterprises. He stressed that the research organs of scientific and technological development must focus on market-oriented projects if they want to be more successful. Many of the converted organs received more research funding, either from the local governments or through listings on the stock market, he said. Over a dozen transformed institutes are preparing to be listed on the market, he added. |
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