Pilot reforms to give scientists more autonomy

China will test new reforms that grant more autonomy to science workers in selected research institutes, officials said on Friday.

The pilot program aims to streamline administration of scientific affairs and promote scientific exploration and innovation in basic research, they added.

The country aims to reduce the number of assessments and improve the efficiency of Chinese research by 2020, according to guidelines recently issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.