Chinese think-tanks to cut administrative interference

The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), has redrafted its charter to cut administrative interference in its operations, with a similar move expected to be made by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The amended charter of the CAE, also vying to rectify a tendency to chase profits, has been ratified during the biennial conference of China's top two think tanks, which started on Monday.

The CAS is scheduled to do likewise before the conference closed on Friday.

The CAE's new charter has modified the previous edition on aspects including nomination and exit mechanisms of academics by depriving governments, universities and enterprises of their nominating rights.

Nominating rights are now limited to incumbent academics and academic groups commissioned by the CAE. A candidate has to obtain no fewer than three votes from academics of the same division of the CAE to be a viable nominee, and each incumbent academic can nominate no more than two candidates.

The move is intended to ensure the selection of nominees is based purely on academic grounds.

Meanwhile, selection of new academics now requires a vote by the whole academy, rather than just one of its divisions.

On exit mechanisms, the new charter stipulates that should any academic violate scientific ethics or lack personal integrity, and they tarnish the reputation of academics or the academy, they will be "advised to resign."

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Monday session of the conference. Xi called for further reform of China's scientific and technological system, and vowed to eradicate ideological and systematic obstacles.