China ranked second in terms of the number of theses published in recognized scientific magazines and journals in 2012, but no Chinese scientist has won a Nobel Prize in science in more than a century since behavior like plagiarism and ghostwriting plague Chinese scientists and students.

    THE arrest of four professors has raised public concern over corruption in China’s scientific research system.

    The four were arrested for misappropriation of state research funds through false research projects, the anti-corruption watchdog said Friday.

    Li Ning, a professor at the Chinese University of Agriculture and member of the elite Chinese Academy of Engineering, was among those arrested. Li is noted for trans-gene research and was the first in China to clone a rare cattle species in 2002.

    The four were part of a group of seven people from five universities that the National Audit Office in 2012 determined to have behaved suspiciously according to a release from the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

    The seven reportedly swindled over 25 million yuan (US$ 4 million) in state funds.

    “Fundamentally, trans-gene research is the study of how to transport bucks,” wrote Internet user “putuolanjing” on the twitter-like service weibo.com, one of thousands of negative comments.

    “Twenty-five million swindled by seven academics... what a tragedy for China,” commented “meiwendudemao.”

    China ranked second in terms of the number of theses published in recognized scientific magazines and journals in 2012, but no Chinese scientist has won a Nobel Prize in science in more than a century since behavior like plagiarism and ghostwriting plague Chinese scientists and students.

    The government spent 1 trillion yuan, or about 1.97 percent of GDP on research and development in 2012, and the figure surpassed 2 percent for the first time in 2013. A report by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) found state funds had been falsely obtained, misappropriated or embezzled.

    One researcher, who refused to be named, told Xinhua that a scientist could gain “a sum of money” from MOST if he is “diligent enough” in establishing contacts in the ministry.

    “Sometimes they have nowhere to spend the money, and then they will think up an excuse,” said the source.

    Scholars strive for approval for their research in order to apply for government funds, and the authorities who have power of approval take bribes for a green light, according to Wang Yuan, head of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development under MOST.

    The system has many disadvantages and must be reformed, Wang said.

    MOST, which manages scientific funds, punished eight people after a 2012 audit, including the four arrested.

    Chen Yingxu, formerly of Zhejiang University, was sentenced to 10 years in prison earlier this year for stealing nearly 10 million yuan from the funds. He fabricated the project’s budget, spending and invoices.

    After visiting Fudan University in Shanghai earlier this year, a special discipline inspection team for the Central Government found the management of research funds at the institute to be chaotic and its construction projects at a branch campus to be in violation of rules and prone to corruption, the report said. It did not provide further details.

    An admissions officer at Beijing-based Renmin University was arrested in May on suspicion of taking bribes from students seeking admission.

    China has no specific law on state scientific funds, though the State Council has general rules targeting the credibility of fund applicants.

    This lack of supervision and sanctions has contributed to the corruption in the field, said lawyer Pan Changxin of Shandong’s Shunda Lawyer Agency. He said the science, finance and auditing authorities should cooperate on science funds.

    MOST announced Sept. 30 yearly internal inspections targeting embezzlement and a credit database based on the inspection results.

    Those found to be corrupt will have their projects halted and funds clawed back, the ministry said. In the most serious cases, they will be banned from reapplying for such funds indefinitely and may face legal prosecution.

    The Chinese Academy of Engineering told Xinhua on Saturday that it would abide by the final court verdict and handle Li’s case in accordance with the academy’s bylaws.

    Inducted into the academy in 2007, Li also has been the head of the State Key Laboratories for Agro Biotechnology, where he and his colleagues have engineered cows to produce proteins that are closer to, but still not identical to, the concentrations found in human milk.

    (Xinhua-Agencies)

    Voices

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    Chinese colleges have long been blamed for being bureaucracies, in which those with official titles have almost unlimited power. The higher the rank, the more research funds the person controls. All supervision mechanisms have proven in vain against power in this hierarchical system. To end college corruption, it is necessary to get rid of the bureaucracy first.

    Professor Yang Yusheng, a member of Ministry of Education Academic Morality Committee, caixin.com

    Research burns money; it is not uncommon for one single program to involve over 100 million yuan (US$16.3 million) nowadays. However, the management of research funds is still done the traditional way, with researchers paying the costs and then submitting a claim for reimbursement. As a result, financial staff often face piles of receipts, which are rather difficult to check. Why not introduce an electronic financial system to close this loophole?

    xinhuanet.com

    As the youngest academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, Li Ning is an excellent researcher, widely renowned for his academic ability. His case is only the tip of the huge iceberg of college corruption in China. Many ask why Chinese scientists never receive a Nobel Prize; corruption is the answer.

    Laoyu Commentary, via Sina microblog

    Researchers who obtained illegal profits, of course, should pay for their crime, but we need to look deeper for the reason for their corruption. Professors and researchers do not earn high salaries in China, and many of them turn to research funds to raise their living standards. The income mechanism of college faculties needs reforming to prevent corruption.

    Southern Metropolis Daily

    Whenever researchers are bestowed with honorary titles, such as that of academician, they receive special treatment from their college, including relaxed supervision. Such unsaid privilege is not honor, but a kind of poison that can spoil them. Li’s case should be a warning to all renowned scholars.

    iqilu.com