A new document from the central Chinese authorities is allowing scholars in the country to accept paid job responsibilities from companies and other social organizations while retaining positions and earnings in their own research organizations.

The document says the income earned from such work positions will in principle all belong to individual scholars.

However, it's also been noted that scholars will need to gain the approval from their own work units before they can work for other organizations.

In addition, the document is encouraging scholars to take up non-profit positions.

Majority of China's top scholars currently work for public universities or state-run research institutes in the country.

With more on this, CRI's Ding Heng earlier spoke with Mike Bastin, Director of the China Business Center at Southampton Solent University.