Selecting talents for Nobel Prize sparks controversy  

國家遴選百人沖擊諾獎引爭議 專家吁莫急功近利

國家高層次人才特殊支持計劃(又稱“萬人計劃”)第一批入選名單近日正式發布。據新華社、《人民日報》報道，該計劃將用10年左右時間遴選支持1萬名高層次人才，包括100名“具有沖擊諾貝爾獎、成長為世界級科學家潛力”的杰出人才。這一說法引發網友質疑：諾貝爾獎是可以沖擊出來的嗎？[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- China has released a national talent plan to support 10,000 outstanding talents, including 100 scientists who have been slated for their potential to win Nobel Prizes, the Beijing Times reports, citing the People's Daily.

Some netizens said the government's support of scientific research can help scientists and researchers mobilize resources to accomplish greater achievements. But more people questioned the move.

"When to win a Nobel Prize cannot be designed," a netizen said. "What China should do now is popularize science and technology to its people."

Some netizens believe the plan reflects China's impatience. One netizen cited Samuel Chao Chung Ting, Nobel Prize winner in physics: "It's dangerous for a scientist to chase after the Nobel."

Zhou Zhonghe, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who is among the 100 talents, didn't quite agree with the statement either. "The Nobel can't be won on purpose," he said.

Chinese scientists should pay more attention to fundamental research, Zhou added.

Wang Yangzong, deputy director of the Institute for the History of Natural Science, said it's acceptable to set winning the Nobel as a goal, but the purpose of the plan could be misrepresented.

Besides winning Nobel Prizes, the plan should focus on developing high-level talents, Wang said. "The talent plan only supports a limited range of science and technology. Government should set up systemic policies to stabilize and support fundamental research."