Xi stresses basic research for self-reliance in science and technology

BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for strengthening basic research to consolidate the country's self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

Xi made the remarks when chairing the third group study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee on Tuesday.

Xi said that strengthening basic research is an urgent requirement for achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and it is the only way to become a world leader in science and technology.

He said that the Party and the country have always attached importance to basic research.

At present, a new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation is advancing by leaps and bounds, interdisciplinary integration is growing, the paradigm of scientific research is undergoing profound changes, the integration of science and technology with economic and social development is accelerating, the application cycle of basic research is significantly shortened, and international competition in basic research is moving to the forefront, Xi said.

To cope with international sci-tech competition, achieve greater self-reliance, foster a new development pattern, and promote high-quality development, there is an urgent need to strengthen basic research and address key technologies from the source and from the bottom, Xi added.

He stressed efforts to strengthen the forward-looking, strategic and systematic layout of basic research.

He said that the frontier science and technology in the world should be integrated with the major national strategic needs and economic and social development goals.

Xi urged efforts to coordinate frontier questions raised in light of the law of science development with theoretical questions drawn from major applied research, and sum up key scientific questions in basic research.

He also called for strengthening the feasibility studies and the selection and evaluation of major basic research projects, fully respecting scientists' advice, and grasping the general trends to make an early start.

Xi noted that it is necessary to strengthen the country's strategic strength in science and technology; promote strategic, frontier and market-oriented basic research in an organized way; and give full play to the role of national laboratories, national research institutions, high-level research universities and leading sci-tech enterprises.

The country will optimize the layout of basic disciplines, support the development of key, emerging, less-popular, and weak disciplines, and promote interdisciplinary integration and research, so as to build a high-quality discipline system with comprehensive and balanced development, he added.

Xi called for the institutional reform of basic research to be deepened, and for the value-driven and strategy-directed role of systems and policies to be given full play.

Fiscal investment in basic research should be steadily increased, enterprises should be motivated to invest more through measures such as tax incentives, input from social forces should be encouraged, and the efficiency of the national natural science fund and its joint funds should be improved, he said.

Xi stressed the need to improve the organization, application, review and decision-making mechanisms for basic research projects, and coordinate efforts to tackle major scientific issues.

He urged efforts to handle the relationship between the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide and the market mechanism well, and efforts to improve the evaluation and incentive system, the achievement application and transformation system and the salary system in response to the long cycle of basic research. He also called for long-term and steady support for a batch of innovation bases, competitive teams and key directions for basic research.

Xi stressed the need to establish a national laboratory system with Chinese characteristics, set up research centers for basic disciplines, build new research information platforms, and form a leading basic research backbone network.

He also urged efforts to draw up scientific plans for major sci-tech infrastructure facilities that are forward-looking, strategy-oriented and application-supporting.

Xi urged support for various basic research talent programs to be strengthened, adding that strategic scientists should be trained and used, young sci-tech talent should be supported to play a key role, and leading sci-tech and innovative talent teams should be continuously expanded.

He said that it is essential to improve the style of study and work in the scientific research field; and called for adhering to the path of independent training for basic research talent, optimizing the basic discipline education system, and giving full play to the leading role of colleges and universities in the training of basic research talent.

Xi stressed that international cooperation, opening-up and sharing are needed more than ever for humanity to tackle common development challenges.

It is necessary to build a platform for international cooperation on basic research, establish a global scientific research fund, increase the opening-up of national sci-tech programs to the outside world, and expand and deepen joint scientific research between China and other countries on global issues such as climate change, energy security, biosecurity and the use of outer space, he said.

Xi urged efforts to plan ahead and participate deeply in global sci-tech governance, participate in or initiate international sci-tech organizations, and support domestic universities, research institutes and sci-tech organizations to connect with the international community.

Xi also noted that efforts should be made to enhance openness, trust and cooperation in the international sci-tech community to make new and greater contributions to the progress of human civilization and also effectively safeguard China's sci-tech security and interests.

He urged efforts to carry forward the scientific spirit of pursuing truth and scaling new heights, widely publicize the advanced models and actions in basic research and other sci-tech fields, and guide the majority of sci-tech workers to carry on the tradition of the older generation of scientists who committed themselves to the country and cared for the people.

Xi called for strengthening the country's ability to popularize science, pushing forward the campaign to improve the scientific literacy of the public, spreading scientific knowledge widely, showing scientific achievements online and offline through multiple channels, and fostering a social trend of promoting science.

Efforts should also be made to inspire young people's curiosity, imagination and desire to explore, and cultivate young people with the potential to become scientists, he said.

Xi urged officials at all levels to gain sci-tech knowledge, carry forward the scientific spirit, take the initiative to solve problems and relieve burdens for sci-tech workers, and put into practice a series of strategic plans on sci-tech innovation made by the CPC Central Committee.