The use of public funds for scientific research should be open to greater scrutiny and the evaluation of research projects reformed, said the Chinese government's political advisors.

At the ongoing meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top advisory body, members warned of the waste of public funds for research.

Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua told the meeting that China's investment in science and technology would reach 71.6 billion yuan (8.95 billion U.S. dollars) in 2006, up 19.2 percent from 2005.

The scientific investment will be doubled in provinces including Liaoning, Shandong, Hubei and Hunan, according to Xu.

"The figure is very exciting," said Xu, adding that an environment encouraging creativity and innovation is coming into being.

As the top agency overseeing the research fund allocation, the Ministry of Science and Technology disseminates about 30 percent of China's total R&D funds via conduits of national R&D programs.

But the scientific community is seriously concerned about how to allocate such large public funds, as wastage and corruption had caught the public's attention.

Many people questioned whether the increased investment meant higher output, whether funds would be wasted and whether the goal of scientific progress could be realized without reform of the scientific system.

Jiang Xiaoqin, a CPPCC member from northwest China's Liaoning Province, said the problem of low scientific creativity was rooted in the system.

"The problem cannot be solved by just increasing investment," said Jiang. "The allocation of the funds should be improved."

Scrutiny of the use of science funds should be strengthened to avoid false reporting, expense padding, embezzlement and waste, Jiang said.

He suggested public scrutiny of key projects, stricter audits of government-funded projects and public scrutiny of the use of funds.

For many years, China had thousands of "major scientific projects" launched annually by many organizations, but little progress was achieved. The waste of funds and scientific resources was criticized by the public.

Zhang Tao, a CPPCC member from central China's Henan Province, said the problem was the lack of contact between scientific research and economic development.

Industry representatives and other social sectors, as well as academics, should advise government decision-makers on the allocation of science funds, Zhang said.

Scientists who used public funds had an obligation to clearly explain their research to public, Zhang added.

According to Xu Guanhua, the Ministry of Science and Technology will post information on inviting applications for state R&D projects online. Meanwhile, they will build databases of candidate researchers and expert panels, with their credit history.

Source: Xinhua