Cut in research funds

-- CHINESE science is going the market
way. A new policy recommends the
withdrawal of state funding for twothirds of the country's research scientists. But scientists protest their work
has vital relevance to industry.
Researchers fear that the new policy,
which may only be a short-term measure to counter recession, will force
some@of them to abandon research.
Some researchers are reportedly talking of opening restaurants and shops
after state funding is cut off.

As China moves towards free
enterprise, policy-makers want scientists to find their own support sys-
tems. Chinese officials insist that the
newly formulated scientific programmes will "allow China to win
gold medals in the world science
Olympics".

But researchers and research
agencies are less optimistic. The
National Geology Library of China
has rented out half of its building to a
local company in an attempt to
remain financially viable.