863 Program

From Wiki China org cn

In March 1986, the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (known as the "863 Program") was initiated. The late Chinese leader Mr. Deng Xiaoping personally approved the Program, which later helped shape the mindset of the Chinese people on modern science. Now the Program covers 20 subjects in eight domains – biology, aerospace, information, laser, automation technology, energy resources, new materials and oceanology.

In the implementation of the Program, government departments shoulder the responsibility to exercise macro control and provide services to scientific research, while the scientists determine the general research direction through discussion and a committee of experts makes decisions on specific projects. One prominent feature of the Program is encouragement given to promot application of any new research achievements.