Nationality rule on science awards to be lifted

China is planning to update the regulation on its top science awards by lifting the restriction on the nationality of winners, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Wednesday.

The revision changes those eligible from "citizens" to "individuals", making it possible for foreign nationals to receive the National Science and Technology Awards.

The number of awards in natural science, technological invention and scientific technical progress will be adjusted from 400 to fewer than 300 in total, and the recipients of the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, for foreign scientists, will not exceed 10 each year, under the revised rules.