New mechanism aids commercialization of research

China has formed a mechanism that enables research findings to touch the economy and society directly. This means a smoother commercialization channel has been built up, which contributes remarkably to the upgrading of the national economy.
Since it entered its leap stage in scientific and technological development during the 11th Five-Year Plan period, China has achieved a galaxy of significant internationally-known research findings, which implies a great step forward on independent innovations. Such transformation was accelerated to strongly support the economic and social development.
Mechanism for changes
Through the national programs, the close link among measures, production, education, research and application are able to benefit from the tightening alliance between the upper, middle and lower reaches. The national programs have played an active role in guiding the educational institutes to serve the development of new strategic emerging industries and ultimately to serve society and national economy.
Ministerial-provincial business meetings
Regular business meetings between provincial authorities and ministries carve out a way to integrate the central-level and local-level technological resources with more efficiency.
Through the inter-ministerial cooperation mechanism, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have jointly launched demonstration programs that speed up the applications of innovative products, such as the "1,000 new-energy vehicles in 10 cities,""100,000 energy-saving LED street lamps in 10 cities," "golden sun" and "next generation broadcasting network,"
Environment construction
A system of law and statute that boosts commercialization of achievements is becoming mature. The revision and adoption of the "Law on Science and Technology Progress" has reinforced the foundation for independent innovations. The release of the "Outline of the National Intellectual Property Strategy" has promoted the creation, use, protection and management of intellectual property rights.
Demand-oriented
Wan Gang, minister of science and technology, said that China will be in its crucial turning point in the 12th Five-Year Plan period, during which it will enhance national innovation abilities as well as focus the country's orientation on innovation

The technology ministry is going to carry out a series of demand orientation targeted tasks. The ministry vows to systematically deepen the management reform for the industry, and it will also comprehensively implement the innovation projects in hopes of boosting the commercialization and industrialization of technological advances.
By Li Yancheng, People's Daily Online
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