China to restructure sci-tech ministry to achieve self-reliance faster

By Eduardo Baptista

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China will restructure the science and technology ministry in order to achieve important breakthroughs. This is according to a State Council report submitted Tuesday to Parliament.

Restructuring the central government minister was part of a reform plan for state institutions submitted by the State Council (China’s cabinet) to the National People’s Congress, which meets this week.

“Facing the severe situation of international scientific and technological competition as well as external containment and suppression, it is necessary to … accelerate the realisation of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement,” Without naming any nations, the cabinet made the statement in the plan.

China’s supreme leader Xi Jinping repeatedly calls for a restructuring as the United States imposes a greater number of export control measures, which have impacted many Chinese businesses and industries.

“Amid fierce international competition … whether we can build a socialist modernised country in an all-round way as scheduled depends on the self-reliance and self-improvement of science and technology,” Xi addressed a group NPC delegates Sunday.

As a result of Tuesday’s institutional reforms, science and technology minister will have fewer responsibilities. Prior responsibilities like driving technological progress to rural areas or building high-tech industrial developments zones, for example, will be transferred across ministries.

“Strengthen the Ministry of Science and Technology’s strategic planning … optimise the whole-process management of scientific and technological innovation,” According to the cabinet, the plan was approved.

These changes will consolidate power over technology and science polices under the control of the Chinese Communist Party. The plan proposes the creation of a new body to make decisions, the Central Commission on Science and Technology.

While he presented his annual work report at the NPC’s opening meeting, Li Keqiang (the outgoing premier) stated on Sunday that government must play more in the pooling of resources necessary for technological breakthroughs.

“Enterprises should be the principal actors in innovation,” Li stated that, although he didn’t specify if this was referring to private or state-owned enterprises or both.

Industry insiders as well as analysts have raised concerns about China’s ability to achieve self-reliance in certain areas like semiconductors. But, last week an Australian think tank reported that China was able to rely on itself. “stunning lead” In 37 out of 44 emerging and critical technologies.

Reporting by Eduardo Baptista. Editing by Andrew Heavens and Robert Birsel.