Missions of the Ministry of Science and Technology

Missions of the Ministry of Science and Technology are:

To research and set forth the macro strategies for science and technology development, as well as guidelines, policies and regulations for science and technology to promote economic and social development; to conduct research on key issues relating to the promotion of economic and social development by science and technology, to research and determine the major deployment and priority areas for science and technology development; to promote the building of the national science and technology innovation system and improve the national science and technology innovation capacity.

To organize the formulation of the national medium and long-term development plan and annual progress plans for civil science and technology.

To research and set forth guidelines, policies and measures for the reform in the science and technology system; to promote the establishment of science and technology innovation system and science and technology innovation mechanisms conforming to the socialist market economy and the intrinsic laws of science and technology development; to guide the reform in science and technology system by various ministries and local governments.

To research measures for increasing science and technology investment through various channels, optimize the allocation of science and technology resources, and take charge of the budgets and final accounts of science operating expenses, the "three-item expenditure" on science and technology (i.e. the expenditure on trial-producing new products, the expenditure on the middle stage tests, and the expenditure on subsidies for major scientific research projects), the funds of science and technology foreign affairs managed by MOST, etc.

To research and formulate the policies and measures for strengthening fundamental research and hi-tech development; to take charge of the formulation, organization and implementation of Key Fundamental Research Program, Hi-Tech Research and Development Program, Key Technologies Development Program, Science and Technology Innovation Program and Science and Technology Program for Social Development.

To strengthen the work on industrialization of high and new technologies and development and extension of applied technologies; to guide the transfer of science and technology achievements; to manage the work on national level key new products of high and new technologies; to take charge of the formulation of the guidelines as well as the implementation of the science and technology development programs such as the Torch Program, the Spark Program, the Achievement Extension Program, etc.; to administer the national level hi-tech industrial development zones; to promote exportation of high technologies and formulate related policies.

To participate in the construction and development plans of science and technology bases such as key and major national projects; to formulate and implement the plans for science and technology bases including national key laboratories.

To conduct research on the rational allocation of human resources in science and technology and set forth relevant policies that can fully encourage the enthusiasm of science and technology talents and help create a preferable environment for their development.

To research and formulate the guidelines and policies of China’s international cooperation and exchange in science and technology; to take charge of the bilateral and multilateral governmental science and technology cooperation programs as well as those programs related to relevant international organizations; to guide the work of science and technology agencies posted abroad; to take charge of the selection and administration of the science and technology officials posted at Chinese embassies and consulates in foreign countries; to manage the work of science and technology aid from foreign governments and international science and technology organizations towards China, as well as China’s science and technology aid towards other countries, to take charge of the science and technology cooperation and exchange with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macaw and Taiwan.

To research and make proposals on the formulation of science and technology laws and regulations; to manage the work such as national science and technology results, science and technology awards, science and technology secrecy, technology market and science and technology related IPR protection; to formulate the plan for science and technology popularization, and use policy guidance to promote the development of science popularization; to promote the development of social intermediary agencies working on science and technology consulting, public bidding, evaluation and assessment, etc. and promote the establishment of science and technology service system.

To take charge of management of science and technology information, science and technology statistics and science and technology journals; to approve the establishment and adjustment of scientific research institutions.

To guide and coordinate the science and technology management work of various ministries and commissions under the State Council as well as that by provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

To manage Science and Technology Daily by authorization.

To undertake related work trusted by the National Steering Group for Science, Technology and Education.

To undertake other tasks assigned by the State Council.