In China's socio-economic development Premier Wen Jiabao said
science and technology were playing both the "supporting and
leading" roles.?
At the seventh national congress of China Association for
Science and Technology (CAST), Wen said scientific development and
innovation could solve a number of significant problems hindering
China's further development.
Science and technology could assist alleviate pressure on
resources in the agricultural sector, help upgrade the structure of
industries and products, transfer the economic growth pattern and
speed up development in education, public health and social
affairs, Wen said.
He identified three goals for China's development of the science
and technology sectors: assist meet the country's new five-year
plan, win a rightful place for China in the world's science and
technology sectors and produce world-class scientists and
researchers.
A new professional code was announced yesterday by Zhou
Guangzhao, president of the Chinese Association of Science and
Technology (CAST), at the organization's ongoing seventh national
conference.
The code of conduct for scientists is ready to be issued,
together with a system for archiving? records, in a drive to
safeguard academic ethics. The code will apply to CAST's more than
4 million members.
Li Yiyi, an academic with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was
quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as saying it would, "help
scientists whose research is plagiarized to safeguard their
interests."
CAST has also outlined a system for keeping checks on academic
fraud but the details of this will not be revealed until further
discussions have been held, said Zhou.
After the disclosure of several academic scandals in recent
months CAST, China's largest science organization, has moved to
strengthen discipline in the science community.
The move comes after a professor with Shanghai Jiaotong
University was found to have falsely claimed government funds for a
fabricated research program about microchips earlier this
month.
That scandal followed the sacking of a professor from Tsinghua
University who was found to have submitted a job application which
was fraudulent.
In March more than 100 social scientists signed a public letter
announcing their determination to fight academic fraud.
CAST kicked off its national congress in Beijing on Tuesday with
a visit from China's top leaders Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao and Zeng
Qinghong.
More than 1,200 delegates from throughout the country are
participating in the congress. They will review the work report
submitted by the sixth national committee of the association,
CAST's own first constitution and advise on building an
innovation-intensive economy in China.
Promoting new technologies in rural areas and popularizing
science are highlights of the organization's future objectives.
Xu Shanyan, deputy secretary-general of the congress, said CAST
would make good use of its widespread grassroots membership to
accomplish its goals.
Over the next five years the organization will encourage every
province to set up a science and technology museum of its own.
It’ll also attempt to lay out a framework for science education for
rural people.
Yang Xingfen, a member of the Guangdong Association of Science
and Technology, said CAST should attach more importance to
popularizing science among officials. He claimed some had "misled
the public with their ignorance."
Established in 1958 CAST has a total of 164 nationwide societies
attached to it.
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2006)
