TIANJIN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China will lift restrictions on the participation in research programs, announced a senior science official here on Monday.

"We hope private firms will join key research plans [and support] research and transform [results into] achievements," Huang Wei, vice minister of science and technology, told attendees of the opening ceremony for the 11th China International Private Equity Forum, which began in the northern port city of Tianjin Monday.

The government, companies and individuals should all play a part in ensuring diverse funding channels for innovation, he said.

In this respect, in March, the ministries of finance, science and technology released a funding guideline for research projects. It said that government departments would cease to manage key projects and allow professional agencies to manage the funding.