Implementing "High-level Creative Talent Development Project", Strengthening Scientific Research in Higher Education Institutions and Taking Active part in the Development of the State Innovation System.

11. HEIs should follow close1y the frontiers of international scholarly pursuits in all major fields of study and become the bases for knowledge innovation and the cradle of high-1evel creative talent£®These talented people should be brought up in an atmosphere of solidarity, teamwork and dedication. Efforts should be made to attract distinguished scholars from domestic and foreign institutions to work in China's leading universities, and these scholars should be able to lead their colleagues and graduate students to do research at the cutting edge of their own fields of specialization. In principle such a scholar should be appointed as soon as he or she has been chosen, and a special fund will be provided to support the relevant academic programs, and the principal researchers so selected shall enjoy full autonomy in the recruitment of personnel and in the disposal of research funds within the scope permitted by the State's policy.

12. A group of young and middle-aged talent able to break new grounds in advanced research will be brought up to ensure that the knowledge and innovation bases in HEIs will make fruitful innovations as soon as possible. From 1998 onward, some vacancies for specially appointed professors have been set up in a number of key disciplinary areas in some HEIs all over the country. These vacancies are open to outstanding young and middle-aged scholars at home and abroad. A special fund has been set up for this purpose. Local governments and institutions are encouraged to provide similar positions and incentives.

13. 10,000 backbone teachers will be carefully selected in various fields of study batch by batch through competition from HEIs all over the country. The financial support provided to their research work will be strengthened by funds appropriated by the government and funds raised by the HEIs themselves so as to improve the quality of research and teaching and upgrade the facilities and equipment at their disposal. A special fund of reward will be set up to support the research and teaching of highly distinguished young teachers in HEIs. Starting from l999, 100 such young teachers £¨ under 35 years of age £© , who have made significant contributions in research and teaching, will be selected each year to enjoy stronger financial support to their research and teaching for five years running.