Poor research adds to woes

Northeast China, the one-time industrial base that had been struggling with low economic growth over the past years, is showing initial signs of an economic turnaround thanks to the ongoing economic structural adjustments.

But to correct its economic and industrial structural imbalances, the region has to implement sweeping reforms and build an economic development model that is driven by technological innovations.

An innovation-driven economy is essentially a talent-driven economy. But the lack of enthusiasm among researchers in Northeast China due to systemic or institutional constraints, such as the lack of a scientific research appraisal system, problematic management of research funds and relatively low salaries of researchers, is preventing its innovation potential from being realized.