THE Shenzhen Municipal Government recently issued a reform plan, comprising 22 measures on the management of science and technology projects, to further boost scientific innovation, the Shenzhen Evening News reported.

The plan aims to build a science and technology research system with a reasonable layout and clear functions through the establishment, integration, expansion and optimization of science and technology projects.

The reform is focused on giving greater autonomy to universities and research institutes in scientific research and establishing a new project to ensure stable funding for higher education institutions.

On the basis of full trust, more human, financial and material resources are being placed at the disposal of universities and scientific researchers in order to enable scientists and researchers to concentrate on the pursuit of learning, innovation and breakthroughs.

The reform also proposes setting up a special fund for basic natural science research and increasing financial investment in scientific research. The city will invest more than 30 percent of the annual financial funds for science and technology into basic research.

It has been pointed out that the construction of basic research platforms will be strengthened and greater efforts will be put into building a number of key and high-standard laboratories to enhance innovation capabilities.

Major science and technology projects, such as those concerning technological breakthroughs, will be assessed by first-class experts. The evaluation of researchers will be based on their representative work and focus on the quality, contributions and impact of their landmark achievements.

Apart from enhancing the organization and implementation of major science and technology projects, the plan also proposes streamlining the management process and optimizing fund management for these projects. The purchasing process of instruments and equipment for scientific research will be simplified as well.

Moreover, the reform stresses the importance of scientific and technological cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and allows cross-border use of scientific research funds.( Zhang Yu)