1st Ld-Writethru: China calls for reform of science and technology associations

Science and technology associations in China should better serve science workers, the national strategy of innovation-driven development as well as the government and the general public through reforms, according to a document published Sunday.

The General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee recently issued a plan for deepening reforms in science and technology associations nationwide.

The document urged science and technology associations to uphold CPC's leadership in the reforms, and called on those associations to build closer links with science workers and the general public, and also called for better management of societies and administrative organs under the associations.

The plan proposed to recruit science and technology associations in major enterprises and universities as group members of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and encouraged societies of related disciplines to form coalitions as a way of sharing information and resources among the members.

It also introduced measures targeting improved public services offered by science and technology associations, including organizing academic activities and promoting commercialization of scientific research findings.

"Through reforms, science and technology associations nationwide should develop themselves into elite think tanks that help the government with rolling out strategies, plans and policies for science and technology development," the CAST said in a statement. Endi