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CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL ON THE TRANSMISSION OF THE SUGGESTIONS SUBMITTED BY THE PRESS AND PUBLICATION ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION CONCERNING THE STRENGTHENING OF THE WORK OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLICATION

    The "Suggestions submitted by the Press and Publication Administration
and the State Science and Technology Commission Concerning the Strengthening
of the Work of Science and Technology Publication" has been approved by the
State Council and is hereby transmitted to you for implementation.

Appendix: Suggestions Concerning the Strengthening of the Work of Science
and Technology Publication

    Since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China, the science and technology publication work of our
country has scored outstanding achievements in promoting economic
construction, reform and opening up, advancement of science and technology
and improving the quality of the nationals by adhering to the basic line of
the Party, the orientation of serving the people and the cause of socialism,
by persevering in subordinating itself to and serving the overall Party and
national work. Meanwhile, science and technology undertakings have made
sufficient progress and the basically matching systems of publication,
printing and circulation have taken shape with relatively complete categories
of publications and with the links of editing, printing, circulation and
materials supply. Electronic publications and audio-visual publications have
been brought out with the development and widespread application of
electronic information technology, expanding and extending the areas of
science and technology publication.

    The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
and the State Council on the Acceleration of the Progress of Science and
Technology" has put forward the implementation of the strategy of
reinvigorating the country through development of science and education and
decided on the guiding thought of promoting the development of the national
economy and construction of our country by way of the progress of science and
technology. The Fifth Plenary Session of the Fourteenth Central Committee of
the Communist Party of China has put forth a splendid trans-century program
for the socio-economic development of our country raising new and higher
standards for the undertakings of publication of science and technology. To
this end, the opportunity must be seized to strengthen vigorously the work of
the publication of science and technology and promote the prosperity of the
publishing industry of science and technology, with a view to making greater
contributions to the promotion of the progress of science and technology, the
implementation of the strategy of reinvigorating the country through the
development of science and education and the strategy of sustainable
development.

    1. The Guiding Principle and Main Tasks of the Publication Work of
Science and Technology

    The undertakings of publication of science and technology constitute a
part of the publishing industry. It is also an important component of the
cause of science and technology. The important role played by the publication
work of science and technology in scientific research, dissemination of
science and technology, promotion of the transformation of scientific and
technological achievements, training of scientific and technological
personnel, improvement of the quality of the entire nation in science,
technology and culture, liquidation of foolishness and superstition and the
strengthening of the building up of spiritual civilization must be fully
realized.

    Under the new situation, science and technology publication work must
adhere to Comrade Deng Xiaoping's theory of building socialism with Chinese
characteristics and the Party's basic line, hold on to the orientation of
serving the people and the cause of socialism. The thought that "science and
technology constitute the primary productive force" must be resolutely put
into practice and efforts be made in accelerating the progress of science and
technology, promoting economic development and improving the quality of the
nationals. Science and technology publication work must adhere to the
principle of putting social effects first, integration of social effects and
economic results, putting quality first and "orienting towards megr-science
and technology while basing oneself on his or her own specialty".

    The main tasks of science and technology publication work are as follows:
the national development plan for science and technology publication
undertakings shall be worked out in real earnest, the reform of science and
technology publication system deepened, quality of personnel in the
publishing industry improved and standards of technical equipment in the
publishing industry raised, arrangements made for the publication of rich
colorful and multi-level science and technology works, science and technology
teaching materials, science popularization publications and science and
technology periodicals which meet the requirements of society, forming a
multi-channel, multi-level and plural science and technology publication and
distribution network with Xinhua Bookstore as the leading body, centering
round the strategy of reinvigorating the country through the development of
science and education and the sustainable development strategy and with the
objectives of dissemination of scientific and technological information,
popularization of scientific and technological know-how, extension of
scientific and technological achievements, training of scientific and
technological personnel, improvement of the quality of the whole nation in
science and culture and in accordance with the requirements of the Party and
State for the development of science and technology publication undertakings.

    2. Deepening of the Reform of Science and Technology Publication System

    The deepening of the reform of science and technology publication system
is the key to the smooth implementation and completion of the various tasks
of science and technology publication work during the new period. Further
reform and perfection of science and technology publication system shall be
effected in accordance with the requirements of establishing the system of
socialist market economy, the building of socialist spiritual civilization
and the inherent laws of science and technology publication.

    The internal reform of science and technology publication units shall be
further deepened, centering round fostering and standardizing the market for
publications, gradually establishing modern management system of science and
technology publication, raising business operational and managerial levels
and reducing cost; optimization of topic selection and structural adjustment
in the publication of books shall be effected so as to improve scale
efficiency, adaptability, competitiveness and self-development capability of
science and technology publication units.

    Science and technology publication units shall practice the on-job
qualification certificate system and multi-level responsibility system of the
director and the chief editor(editor-in-chief), the responsibility system of
the units-in-charge or of the sponsoring units, the responsibility system of
the director and the chief editor(editor-in-chief), and the on-job
responsibility system in publishing houses and in the offices of periodicals.
Competitive mechanisms shall be introduced step by step into the operations
and management of science and technology publication. There shall be open
competition in employment and promotion of editing, publication and
distribution personnel, forming the science and technology publication
personnel management system of fair competition, coordination, cooperation,
rational mobility and to each according to his or her ability.

    To effect a change in the state of over minute division of labor, over
narrowness of specialties, dispersion of strength and loose integration
with science and technology undertakings in a number of science and
technology publication units, experiments shall be carried out in horizontal
association of science and technology publication units and establishment of
science and technology publication groups. Encouragement shall be given to
science and technology publication units in centralization of strength,
coordination in division of labor and joint compilation, writing, translation
and publication.

    Quality assurance mechanism for science and technology publications shall
be established and perfected. Topic selection study system and the three-
examination system of book drafts(primary examination by the executive editor,
associate examination by the chief of the editorial office and final
examination by the editor-in-chief) shall be adhered to, and editing, proof-
reading and finished product quality inspection shall be done well in real
earnest in strict accordance with the relevant requirements of the state
concerning the quality grade standards and contents of publications. A
rational structure of science and technology publications in basic theories,
applied science and technology and science popularization shall be shaped in
accordance with the requirements of economic construction and the development
of science and technology undertakings. Strong measures shall be taken to
avoid repetition in publication, reduce mediocre publications and those
prepared in a rough and slipshod way, fight acts of pirating and plagiarism
in science and technology publications so as to improve the overall quality
of science and technology publications.

    Reform of the distribution system constitutes an important link in the
on-going reform of science and technology publication system. Xinhua
Bookstores at all levels shall do a good job of the distribution of science
and technology publication in all seriousness. A study and improvement of the
distribution of science and technology publications shall be made, proceeding
from the requirements truly instrumental to the development of science and
technology and to satisfy the readers. Encouragement and support shall be
given to the establishment of the network and points of distribution of
science and technology publications and specialized science and technology
bookstores, in accordance with the principle of more channels and less links
in book circulation, while enhancing the role of Xinhua Bookstores as the
main channel. The central cities shall establish a group of specialized
science and technology bookstores or chain bookstores for science and
technology. Xinhua Bookstores at the county level and the supply and
marketing cooperatives shall, in all seriousness, do a good job of the
distribution of science and technology publications as an important work.

    Special attention shall be paid to the publication and distribution of
books on agro-science and technology. Publication and distribution of reading
materials of science and technology oriented toward the rural areas and
conducive to the shaping of scientific thinking of the farmers, mastery of
scientific methods, scientific knowledge and applied agro-techniques shall be
placed in a prominent and important position.

    Correct guidance and assistance shall be given and administration stepped
up with respect to the distribution of science and technology publications by
collectively-owned and individually-owned bookstores.

    Standardized reward and punishment mechanism shall be set up. Units and
individuals making outstanding contributions shall be rewarded in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the state; publication units or individuals
in violation of the regulations and disciplines shall be investigated and
dealt with seriously.

    3. Strengthening of Leadership and Administration

    All regions and all departments concerned shall, in real earnest,
formulate development plans for science and technology publication and
include in their agenda science and technology publication as an important
work. The work of science and technology publication shall be included in the
annual conference on science and technology and solutions to the practical
questions in the work of science and technology publication sought in
earnest. Departments of press and publication administration and science and
technology administration at all levels shall closely coordinate with each
other, seriously study and formulate policies and rules favorable to the
development of science and technology publication undertakings and try their
best to help solve the practical difficulties of science and technology
publication in the management of the industry.

    In accordance with the objectives of economic construction and
development of science and technology, the department of press and
publication administration of the state in conjunction with the department of
science and technology administration and other departments concerned shall
formulate mid-term and long-term development plans for science and technology
publication and publication plans for important science and technology
publications, and organize science and technology publication units
throughout the country in the cooperation in division of labor and in their
comprehensive implementation. All regions and all departments shall include
the plans for science and technology publication in the development plans for
science and technology, and include the publication of key science and
technology books and periodicals of all categories in the development items
of science and technology of the state and the localities, provide guidance
and make arrangements for their implementation. All science and technology
publication units shall likewise formulate their respective plans of key
topic selection for science and technology publication on the basis of
comprehensive investigation and full studies.

    4. Creating Good Environmental Conditions for Science and Technology
Publication

    All regions and departments shall make arrangements for a certain amount
of funds in the expenditure for scientific research in support of the
publication of major works of science and technology, reading materials for
science popularization and major translations of science and technology. The
state finance has already appropriated special fund for the establishment of
the state foundation for the publication of academic works on science and
technology which is oriented toward the whole country in subsidy for the
publication of important science and technology publication of the state on
merit.

    In accordance with the provisions relating to the publication of books on
own expenses, science and technology publication units may make use of social
forces and funds in the publication of academic works on natural science and
engineering technology for scientific research, teaching, enterprises,
institutions, specialists and scholars so as to expand the channel of science
and technology publication.

    Reward of excellent special works on science and technology, teaching
materials on science and technology and reading materials for science
popularization shall be further promoted, and excellent special works on
science and technology, teaching materials on science and technology and
reading materials for science popularization shall be included in the
assessment and selection for reward for the state award for the advancement
of science and technology.

    Modernization of the science and technology publication units shall be
stepped up by promoting technological transformation and renewal of equipment
and employing modern scientific and technological means to continuously
improve technical levels and labor productivity. Attention should be paid to
the application of new high-technology in science and technology publication,
development of electronic publication and fostering the market for such new
publications as audio-visual publications and electronic publications.

    5. Active Development of Cooperation and Exchange with Foreign Countries
in Science and Technology Publication

    International cooperation and exchange is one of the important ways in
promoting the development of science and technology publication undertakings
of our country. Attention shall be paid to the introduction of excellent
reading materials on science and technology from abroad in accordance with
the requirements of the development of science and technology publication of
our country. In the meantime, measures shall be taken to step up the export
of science and technology publications, develop and widen the world market
and promote exchange with foreign countries.

    Attention shall be paid to the introduction of science and technology
books which are of positive significance to the socio-economic development
and scientific and technological progress of our country from abroad by way
of copyright trade in a planned way for timely translation and publication in
the country. In the meantime, translation and publication of China's
excellent books on science and technology abroad shall be promoted. Copyright
management shall be strengthened and efforts intensified in the enforcement
of law to protect intellectual property rights.

    6. Active Training of the Trans-Century Ranks for Science and Technology
Publication

    Strengthening the building up of leader groups. Selection and promotion
shall be made for leading positions of science and technology publication
units of persons of good political quality, familiar with science and
technology publication business and having high management skills. Training,
selection and promotion of trans-century young talents for science and
technology publication and management shall be done well.

    Strengthening the building up of science and technology publication
ranks. Professional training and vocational moral education of all categories
of personnel of science and technology shall be conducted and the on-job
qualification certificate system shall be gradually introduced. Editors, in
particular, shall renew their knowledge, improve their professional level and
reinforce the enterprising spirit. Personnel in editorial work must have a
professional qualification of at least university graduate.