Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1: To implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and to carry out the Outline of the National Medium- and Long-Term Plan for Science and Technology Development, (2006 —2020 year), to ensure the smooth implementation of major national science and technology projects (hereinafter referred to as “major projects”) and to strengthen the management of these projects, in accordance with the “Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Issuing the Rules for the Organization and Implementation of Major National Science and Technology Projects” (Guobanfa [2016] No. 105) and relevant requirements for the reform of national science and technology program management, these Regulations are hereby formulated.

Article 2: Major special projects are strategically significant undertakings—comprising critical strategic products, key common technologies, and major engineering projects—that are carried out within a specified time frame through breakthroughs in core technologies and integration of resources, with the aim of achieving national goals. These projects represent the top priority in China’s scientific and technological development and are of great significance for enhancing our country’s independent innovation capacity and building an innovative nation.

Article 3: Major special projects shall closely focus on the nation’s major strategic goals and needs, and shall be extensively studied and demonstrated through a top-down and bottom-up integrated approach. Such projects shall be approved and established by the Party Central Committee and the State Council. In organizing and implementing major special projects, it is essential to adhere to the principle of “launching one project only after another has reached maturity.”

Article 4: The organization and implementation of major special projects shall be under the unified leadership of the State Council, with the National Science and Technology Education Leading Group and the National Leading Group for Reform of the Science and Technology System and Construction of an Innovation Ecosystem strengthening overall planning, coordination, and guidance.

Article 5: Principles for the organization and management of major special projects:

(1) Clearly define objectives and focus on key priorities. Major special projects will center on critical issues in key areas of national economic and social development, focusing on major national strategic products and significant industrialization goals. They will emphasize the commitment to independent innovation and leverage breakthroughs in key areas to drive leapfrog development in critical sectors.

(2) Innovate mechanisms and coordinate resources. Deepen reform of the science and technology system, highlight the leading role of enterprises, and promote the concentration of various innovation factors within enterprises. Fully harness the initiative of departments, local governments, enterprises, research institutions, and higher education institutions, strengthen the alignment between major special projects and other national science and technology programs (including special projects and funds) as well as major engineering initiatives, advance military-civilian integration, and integrate and optimize the allocation of scientific and technological resources across society.

(3) Clarify responsibilities and standardize management. Major special projects shall be incorporated into the national science and technology management platform for unified administration. Throughout all stages—including the formulation of implementation plans, launch and execution, supervision and management, acceptance, and application of results—adhere to scientific and democratic decision-making, and establish and improve management systems and mechanisms with clearly defined responsibilities and authorities.

(4) Conduct regular evaluations and emphasize performance. Establish and improve a robust supervision, evaluation, and dynamic adjustment mechanism for major special projects, and carry out ongoing monitoring and inspection of the organizational management, implementation status, and effectiveness of these major special projects.

(5) Focus on talent and create a conducive environment. In conjunction with the implementation of major special projects, we will attract and cultivate a group of high-caliber talents who excel in innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence, thereby building a science and technology team that integrates industry, academia, and research and boasts strong innovative capabilities. We will also refine supporting policies and foster a favorable environment that facilitate the successful implementation of these major special projects.

Article 6: The funding for major special projects shall adhere to the principle of diversification. The central government will establish special funds to support the organization and implementation of these major projects, and will guide and encourage investment from local governments, financial capital, and social sources. For the implementation of specific major project tasks, funds shall be allocated scientifically and rationally, audit and oversight shall be strengthened, and the efficiency of fund utilization shall be enhanced.

Article 7: These Regulations apply to major special projects related to civilian sectors.

Chapter 2: Organizational Management and Responsibilities

Article 8 The Inter-ministerial Joint Conference on the Management of National Science and Technology Programs (including special projects and funds, hereinafter referred to as the Inter-ministerial Joint Conference) is responsible for reviewing major special project overall planning, proposals for establishing new major special projects and their implementation plans, development plans for major special projects and relevant management regulations, as well as selecting and designating professional institutions for project management (hereinafter referred to as “professional institutions”) and other significant matters.

Major special issues proposed for review by the inter-ministerial joint conference must, in accordance with established procedures, be consulted and evaluated by the Strategic Advisory and Comprehensive Review Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Committee).

Article 9: Under the inter-ministerial joint conference system, the Ministry of Science and Technology, together with the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance (hereinafter referred to as the “Three Departments”), shall be responsible for the comprehensive coordination and overall promotion of major special projects, study and resolve major issues arising in the organization and implementation of these projects, and each department shall perform its own duties while working jointly to promote the organization, implementation, and management of these major special projects. The main responsibilities include:

(1) Lead the research and formulation of development plans for major special projects;

(2) Study and formulate management regulations and supporting policies for major special projects;

(3) Organize the preparation and feasibility study of major special implementation plans (including the overall estimated budget and phased estimated budgets; the same applies hereinafter);

(4) Guide the leading organizing unit in drafting the annual guidelines for major special projects and be responsible for conducting compliance reviews of these annual guidelines.

(5) Responsible for conducting comprehensive balancing of the implementation plans for each major special project (generally planned over five-year periods, including annual estimates—same applies hereinafter) and annual plans (including annual budgets—same applies hereinafter).

(6) Organize monitoring and evaluation, inspection and supervision, and final acceptance of major special projects; submit summary reports on the implementation of major special projects to the Party Central Committee and the State Council; and be responsible for conducting comprehensive supervision and evaluation of the performance of professional institutions managing major special projects in fulfilling their duties.

(7) Provide opinions on major issues arising during the implementation of key special projects, including comments on significant adjustments involving project objectives, technological approaches, budget estimates, schedules, and organizational implementation methods.

(8) Responsible for coordinating and integrating major tasks involving the overall management of various major special projects, including their goal alignment, policy measures, and performance oversight.

(9) Responsible for coordinating and integrating major special projects with other national science and technology programs (special projects, funds, etc.) and major national engineering initiatives.

(10) Organize and prepare for the review of major special matters to be submitted to the inter-ministerial joint conference, and other related tasks.

Article 10: The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for coordinating the alignment between major special projects and other national science and technology programs (including special projects and funds, etc.); taking the lead in organizing research and drafting management measures for major special projects as well as related science and technology supporting policies for their implementation; compiling various types of information on major special projects and setting forth unified requirements for information aggregation; reporting the annual work plan and annual implementation status to the State Council; and undertaking daily organizational coordination and liaison and communication tasks for major special projects.

The National Development and Reform Commission will take the lead in organizing research and formulating relevant industrial supporting policies for the implementation of major special projects; it will also be responsible for coordinating the alignment between these major special projects and national key engineering initiatives.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for studying and formulating relevant fiscal policies for the implementation of major special projects, and for taking the lead in developing management measures for major special funds allocated by the central government. It is also responsible for proposing requirements for the preparation of preliminary budgets for major special projects, leading the review of overall preliminary budgets and phased preliminary budgets for these projects, and reviewing and approving annual preliminary budgets and annual budgets for major special projects. In accordance with regulations, it reviews and approves adjustments to the preliminary budgets of major special projects.

Article 11: The leading organization responsible for a major special project shall be in charge of the specific implementation and organization of the project, strengthen macro-management, strategic planning, and policy support, establish a mechanism involving the joint participation of multiple departments, fully mobilize all sectors of society to participate in the implementation of the major special project, and ensure that the project is smoothly implemented and achieves its intended objectives. Leading organizations involved in the same major special project should enhance communication, coordination, and cooperation among themselves. Their primary responsibilities include:

(1) In coordination with relevant departments and institutions, establish a Management Office for the Implementation of this Major Special Project, which will be specifically responsible for the day-to-day operations of implementing this Major Special Project. Also, set up a General Expert Panel for the Major Special Project.

(2) Responsible for organizing the formulation of regulatory documents such as detailed implementation rules for the implementation of this major special project, detailed implementation rules for fund management, confidentiality procedures, and archival management plans.

(3) Responsible for organizing the formulation of phase implementation plans for this major special project, drafting annual guidelines, and reviewing and submitting annual plans.

(4) Approve the establishment of this major special project (subject); (for special projects involving multiple leading organizations, approval will be issued jointly in a joint document).

(5) Responsible for supervising and inspecting the implementation of this major special project (subject), conducting retrospective accountability, and providing guidance and urging the effective implementation of this major special project.

(6) Be responsible for strengthening guidance and supervision over the macro-level operations related to the development of professional teams and the provision of necessary resources and support for the management institutions of this major special project.

(7) Responsible for coordinating and implementing the supporting conditions necessary for the execution of this major special project, coordinating the implementation of complementary policies, and promoting the transformation and industrialization of the outcomes from this major special project.

(8) Organize and implement the coordination between this major special project and other national science and technology programs (special projects, funds, etc.) as well as major national engineering projects;

(9) Approve adjustments to the implementation plan, phase-specific implementation plans, and annual plans. When such adjustments involve major changes to specific objectives, technical approaches, budget estimates, schedules, or organizational and implementation methods, the three departments shall be consulted for their opinions.

(10) Organize and prepare the annual implementation report, summary report, and other relevant documents for this major special project, and submit a request for acceptance of this major special project based on the completion status of its tasks.

(11) Responsible for the management, supervision, and inspection of confidentiality work related to this major special project. In accordance with relevant regulations, conduct classification and determination of secrecy levels for projects (topics) involving state secrets as well as for the achievements obtained.

Article 12: Each major special project shall establish a specialized overall expert group to work in coordination with the Special Project Implementation and Management Office to ensure the effective organization and implementation of the project. The advisory and consultative role of experts shall be fully leveraged; the advisory recommendations of the overall expert group shall serve as an important basis for decision-making by the leading organizations of the major special projects. The overall expert group shall have a chief technical advisor who shall assume full responsibility for the work of the overall expert group. Each special project may, as needed, appoint deputy chief technical advisors. The primary responsibilities of the overall expert group include:

(1) Responsible for conducting research on related technological development strategies and forecasting, and providing advisory opinions on the key areas of focus, technological approaches, and R&D progress for major special projects.

(2) Responsible for providing advisory recommendations on major special development plans, phased implementation plans, annual guidelines, and annual plans;

(3) Provide advisory recommendations on the integrated design of major special projects, the seamless connection and collaborative tackling of projects (research topics), and the promotion of the integrated application of major special project outcomes.

(4) Participate in the inspection, evaluation, and acceptance of major special projects (research topics), etc.

The chief technical officer and deputy chief technical officer shall be strategic scientists and leading figures in their respective major special projects, capable of focusing their energy on the organization and implementation of these major special projects. Members of the overall expert panel for major special projects shall be outstanding, versatile professionals with expertise in technology, management, finance, and other relevant fields, able to devote their primary efforts to the specific implementation of these major special projects. In principle, members of the overall expert panel shall not concurrently undertake tasks or projects within the major special projects themselves.

Article 13: In principle, the specific management of major special projects (topics) shall be entrusted to specialized agencies. The three departments, together with the leading organizing unit and other relevant parties, shall propose a list of candidate specialized agencies, which will then be reviewed and finalized by the Inter-Ministerial Joint Conference. The specialized agencies, under the joint mandate of the Office of the Inter-Ministerial Joint Conference and the leading organizing unit, shall be responsible for the specific management of major special projects (topics).

(1) Responsible for formulating regulations and rules, including detailed implementation guidelines, confidentiality procedures, and archival management plans, for this major special project (subject).

(2) Participate in the formulation of the phase implementation plan and annual guidelines for this major special project, and submit annual plan proposals.

(3) Responsible for organizing the acceptance of applications for major special projects (topics), selecting the entities to undertake these projects (topics), issuing approval notices according to the approved decisions, signing task contracts (including budget documents, the same applies hereinafter) with the entities undertaking the projects (topics), and ensuring the implementation of funding arrangements.

(4) Organize supervision and inspection of this major special project (subject);

(5) Organize the acceptance and other related activities for this major special project (subject);

(6) Conduct research and propose recommendations on the organizational management and supporting policies for this major special project.

(7) Adjust project (subject) tasks or reallocate budgets in accordance with relevant regulations and actual needs;

(8) Submit recommendations, as needed, for adjusting the implementation plan, phased implementation schedule, and annual plan.

(9) Regularly report on the implementation progress of this major special project;

(10) Responsible for the management, supervision, and inspection of project (research topic) archives and confidentiality work.

The relevant management requirements for specialized agencies shall be implemented in accordance with the "Provisional Regulations on the Management of Specialized Agencies for Project Management of Central Financial Science and Technology Programs (Special Projects, Funds, etc.)."

For major special projects that have not yet been entrusted to a professional agency, the responsibilities shall be assumed by the Special Project Implementation and Management Office.

Article 14: The entity undertaking a major special project is the primary responsible party for the implementation of the project (subject). In accordance with the requirements of the legal person management responsibility system, it shall strengthen internal controls and risk management, and assume responsibility for the implementation of the project (subject) and the management of funds. In compliance with the requirements of the project (subject) task contract, it shall put in place the necessary supporting conditions, organize the implementation of the tasks, use funds in a standardized manner, promote the commercialization of research results, and achieve the set objectives. It must strictly adhere to the relevant management regulations for major special projects, conscientiously fulfill the contractual terms, accept guidance and inspections, and cooperate with evaluation and acceptance procedures.

Article 15: Strengthen the organizational and coordinating efforts of major national science and technology programs at the local level. Local governments shall enhance unified leadership and, based on actual conditions, establish coordination mechanisms involving science and technology, development and reform, finance, and other relevant departments to ensure effective overall coordination of major national science and technology programs and the implementation of supporting conditions. They should mobilize resources to actively undertake research and development tasks under these major programs, ensure smooth alignment and integration between local science and technology projects (special programs) and the major national science and technology programs, and maintain timely communication and coordination with the three departments and the leading organizing entities.

Chapter 3: Implementation Plan and Phased Implementation Schedule

Article 16: The implementation plan serves as the basis for the organization, supervision, inspection, evaluation, and acceptance of major special projects.

Article 17: Preparation and Feasibility Study of Implementation Plans for Major Special Projects. The three departments, together with relevant departments and units, shall jointly establish a preparation and feasibility study committee composed of experts from technical, economic, management, and financial fields to prepare and conduct feasibility studies on implementation plans for major special projects. The main contents of the implementation plan shall include:

(1) Major Special Project Objectives. Propose major special tasks and overall objectives, define specific and phased objectives for the major special project, clarify the technological roadmap, and identify key tasks for the major special project.

(2) Conditions for launching major special projects. Identify the scientific, industrial, financial, and other foundational requirements and conditions necessary for implementing major special projects, and propose the appropriate timing for initiating such projects.

(3) Organizational Implementation Approach. Based on the characteristics of the major special projects and in accordance with departmental functions, and with full consideration of the integration of science and technology with industry as well as alignment with existing work foundations, clearly identify the leading organizational unit for each major special project, put forward alternative suggestions for specialized agencies, and specify the organizational implementation approach and corresponding division of responsibilities.

(4) Fundraising Plan. Based on the objectives and tasks of the major special project, propose an estimated budget for the funds required for implementation and a corresponding fundraising plan.

Article 18: Approval of Implementation Plans for Major Special Projects. After the three departments submit the implementation plans for major special projects to the Advisory and Review Committee for consultation and evaluation, the plans will be submitted to the Inter-ministerial Joint Meeting for deliberation. Once approved by the Leading Group for Reform of the National Science and Technology System and Construction of an Innovation System, they will be submitted according to established procedures to the State Council for approval. Particularly significant matters will be submitted to the Party Central Committee for approval.

Article 19: In accordance with the implementation plans for major special projects approved by the State Council, each leading organizing unit shall organize the overall expert panel, specialized institutions, and others to prepare phase-specific implementation plans for these major special projects.

Article 20: The leading organization responsible for the major special project shall submit the phase implementation plan of the major special project to the three departments for comprehensive coordination and balance.

The main contents of comprehensive balancing include: the consistency between the identified research tasks and the implementation plan; the alignment with other national science and technology programs (special projects, funds, etc.) and major national engineering projects; the utilization of existing scientific and technological achievements, infrastructure, and other relevant conditions; and the reasonableness of the proposed annual budget estimates.

Article 21: The leading organization responsible for the major special project shall, based on the comprehensive balancing opinions, organize the revision and refinement of the phase implementation plan and submit it to the three departments for filing.

Article 22: During the implementation of major special projects, any significant adjustments involving the project’s implementation plan objectives, budget estimates, schedule, or organizational and implementation approaches shall be proposed by the leading organizing entity. After review by the three relevant departments, such adjustments shall be submitted to the State Council for approval. For significant adjustments concerning the phase implementation plan objectives, annual budget estimates, and total annual budgets of major special projects, the leading organizing entity shall submit the proposals to the three departments following the prescribed procedures. As for other routine adjustments to the phase implementation plans and annual plans of major special projects, these shall be approved by the leading organizing entity and filed with the three departments for record.

Chapter 4: Annual Plan

Article 23: Major special projects shall, on the premise of ensuring the achievement of overall objectives, adhere to the principles of fairness and impartiality and adopt methods such as targeted entrustment, selective entrustment (including targeted selective entrustment and open selective entrustment), and bidding to select the entities undertaking the projects (topics).

Article 24: The leading organization of the major special project, together with relevant departments, shall, based on the Implementation Plan and the Phase Implementation Plans for the major special project, organize the overall expert panel and specialized institutions to prepare the annual guidelines.

Article 25: After the leading organizing unit of a major special project submits the annual guidelines to the three departments for compliance review, they will be uniformly published through the National Science and Technology Management Information System. Guidelines for projects (topics) involving classified information or sensitive data shall be released by the leading organizing unit of the major special project in accordance with relevant confidentiality management regulations.

Article 26: Professional institutions shall accept applications for projects (research topics). For those open to competitive selection and tendering, the period from the date of guideline release to the application deadline shall, in principle, be no less than 50 days. The day is set to ensure that researchers have sufficient time to submit project (research) proposals.

Article 27: Professional institutions shall organize project (subject) task and budget reviews through methods such as video review or conference review. Review experts shall be selected from a unified national database of science and technology management experts, and the expert recusal system shall be strictly enforced. Except for cases involving state secrets or where otherwise provided by laws and regulations, the list of review experts shall be made public to the society, thereby strengthening expert self-discipline and subjecting them to peer scrutiny and social oversight. Project (subject) application materials should be submitted to review experts for preliminary examination in advance to ensure the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the review process.

Article 28: After a professional institution has completed its task and budget review, it shall prepare an annual plan proposal (including a proposed budget) and submit it to the leading organization of the major special project for review.

Article 29: The leading organizing unit of the major special project shall submit the annual plan to the three departments for comprehensive balancing. The three departments will focus on reviewing the standardization of the project approval procedures and their alignment with the task objectives and guidelines, and will provide timely feedback. The specialized agencies will publicly announce the proposed projects (topics) that have undergone comprehensive balancing—including their budgets. After the specialized agencies review the public announcement status and handling opinions, they will submit the information to the three departments. Based on the results of the public announcement, the three departments will provide formal feedback on the comprehensive balancing. The leading organizing unit will then submit the budget proposal—after comprehensive balancing—to the Ministry of Finance in accordance with the departmental budget management procedures. The Ministry of Finance will review and approve the budget according to established procedures. The Ministry of Science and Technology will compile and finalize the annual plan for the major special projects (topics).

Article 30: The leading organization for the major special project shall, based on the comprehensive balancing opinions of the three departments and the budget approval from the Ministry of Finance, issue project (subject) approval notices (including budgets) to the specialized agencies.

Chapter 5: Organization, Implementation, and Process Management

Article 31: Based on the project approval issued by the leading organizing entity, the specialized agency shall sign a “Task Contract for Major Special Projects (Subjects)” with the entity undertaking the project (subject), affixing the专用章 for major special contracts. If supporting conditions and financial investments are required from local authorities (or relevant entities), the relevant local departments or entities shall affix their official seals on the Task Contract for the project (subject). For projects (subjects) involving state secrets, the specialized agency shall sign a confidentiality agreement with the entity undertaking the project (subject).

Article 32: Professional institutions shall, in accordance with the project (subject) task contract, inspect and supervise the implementation of relevant supporting conditions for the project (subject), assume responsibility for daily management, and establish integrity files for each project (subject).

Article 33: A yearly reporting system shall be implemented for major special projects. On the basis of summarizing the implementation status of the projects (topics) under this major special project, the specialized agency shall prepare an annual implementation report for the major special project. After review by the leading organizing unit, the report shall be submitted annually by December. Submit to the three departments before the end of the month; after being compiled by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the report will be submitted to the State Council.

Article 34 General projects (research topics) that require adjustment or withdrawal shall be submitted by the specialized agency in writing for approval by the leading organization of the major special project and then filed with the three relevant departments.

Chapter 6: Assessment and Supervision

Article 35: The three departments shall be responsible for conducting evaluations and oversight of the overall progress in implementing major special projects. In accordance with the plan, the three departments shall organize their own personnel or entrust independent third-party evaluation agencies to carry out stage-by-stage performance assessments and annual oversight assessments of the implementation of major special projects. They shall strengthen spot checks on relevant projects (research topics) and conduct retrospective investigations into accountability. Together with the leading organizing units, the three departments shall oversee the fulfillment of duties by specialized institutions and urge the implementation of recommendations and opinions derived from oversight and evaluation activities. The results of the stage-by-stage performance assessments shall serve as important bases for adjusting the objectives, technical approaches, budgets, schedules, and organizational implementation methods of the implementation plans and stage-specific implementation plans. The three departments shall report the results of the stage-by-stage performance assessments and any resulting adjustments to the State Council.

Article 36: The leading organization of a major special project shall organize its own personnel or entrust qualified third-party independent assessment agencies to conduct supervision and inspection of the implementation of major special project tasks, as well as to carry out retrospective accountability investigations.

Article 37: Information related to major special project guidelines, review processes, project approval, and supervision and evaluation shall be made publicly available in accordance with relevant regulations and shall proactively accept social oversight.

Article 38: Establish a scientific research credit management mechanism. In accordance with relevant regulations, objectively and systematically record various types of scientific research credit information throughout the management process of major special projects (topics), including the credit status of project (topic) applicants during the application phase, the credit status of implementing institutions and project (topic) leaders during the implementation phase, and the credit status of experts involved in the review, evaluation, inspection, and acceptance processes of projects (topics). Implement categorized management based on credit ratings. Establish a system for recording serious breaches of trust, and temporarily or permanently disqualify entities found to have engaged in serious breaches of trust from applying for or participating in the management of major special projects (topics).

Article 39: A mechanism for holding accountable those responsible shall be established. For any acts of negligence, dereliction of duty, falsification, misappropriation, diversion, encroachment upon, or fraudulent acquisition of special funds for major projects during the implementation of such projects, the relevant persons and entities shall be held accountable in accordance with applicable regulations; if such acts constitute a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Chapter 7: Summary and Acceptance

Article 40: Project (Subject) Acceptance.

Professional institutions are responsible for organizing the summary and acceptance of projects (research topics), including both task acceptance and financial acceptance. The acceptance results shall be reported to the leading organizing unit and copied to the three relevant departments. The acceptance work for projects (research topics) shall be completed within 6 months after the expiration of the task contract. To be completed within one month; in principle, the extension period shall not exceed 1. Year.

In accordance with the relevant requirements of the National Science and Technology Reporting System, each project (research topic) shall submit a complete technical report in a standardized format to a specialized agency upon acceptance. The specialized agency will compile the written documents and electronic versions on a quarterly basis and submit them to the leading organizing unit, with a copy sent to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The acceptance and related matters of projects (research topics) will be incorporated into the Major Special Project Management Information System and recorded in the integrity archive.

Every December Submit the annual implementation report for projects (research topics) before the end of the month, regularly report to the inter-ministerial joint conference and the leading organizing unit on the progress of implementing major special projects, and organize the preparation of acceptance documents for these major special projects.

Article 41: Phase Summary.

In the final year of each five-year plan, each major special project shall organize a phase summary. The leading organization of the major special project shall coordinate with specialized institutions to prepare and submit a report on the project’s phased implementation status to the three departments.

The three departments will compile a summary of the phased results and assessment of supervision efforts, and submit them to the State Council.

Article 42: Summary and acceptance of each major special project.

The leading organization of the major special project shall prepare an implementation report based on the completion of the project’s objectives and the acceptance status of its projects (sub-projects), and submit a request for overall acceptance to the three departments. In principle, this should be done no later than six months before the major special project is due to reach its execution deadline or within six months after the execution deadline has ended. Submit the acceptance application within the specified month. If the organization and implementation proceed smoothly and the task objectives are completed ahead of schedule, you may apply for acceptance in advance.

After receiving the acceptance applications, the three departments will organize and carry out comprehensive acceptance assessments based on the implementation plans for each major special project. The assessment will focus on a comprehensive evaluation of aspects such as the degree of achievement of target indicators, the organization, implementation, and management practices, the use and effectiveness of funds, as well as the outcomes and impacts of the projects. Upon completion of the assessment, the departments will prepare an acceptance report and draw up a conclusive statement on the overall acceptance. They will then submit the overall acceptance conclusions and summary reports on the implementation status of each major special project to the Party Central Committee and the State Council.

Chapter 8: Fund Management

Article 43: The sources of major special funds include central government financial funds, local government financial funds, funds raised by the institutions themselves, and funds obtained from other channels.

Article 44   Coordinate the use of funds from various channels to enhance the efficiency of fund utilization. Central government financial funds shall strictly comply with relevant provisions of fiscal budget management and the management measures for major special funds; funds from other sources shall be managed in accordance with their respective management regulations. Major special funds must be earmarked for specific purposes, accounted for separately, and focused on performance evaluation.

Article 45: The use of funds for major special projects shall be subject to rigorous audits in strict accordance with relevant auditing regulations, ensuring that the funds are used in a standardized and effective manner.

Chapter 9: Outcomes, Intellectual Property, and Asset Management

Article 46: Each major special project shall establish a long-term mechanism for the protection and management of intellectual property rights, set forth clear intellectual property objectives, designate specialized institutions and personnel responsible for intellectual property work, monitor developments in intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, prepare intellectual property analysis reports, and use these reports as references for informed decision-making. Each major special project shall also establish systems for intellectual property management, performance evaluation, and objective assessment. If necessary, it may entrust professional intellectual property agencies to carry out relevant tasks.

Article 47: Under the guidance of the leading organization for major special projects, specialized agencies shall be specifically responsible for managing the outcomes and intellectual property rights of these major special projects.

Article 48: The ownership and use of intellectual property rights generated from major special projects shall be governed by the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Progress in Science and Technology," the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements," the "National Intellectual Property Strategy Outline," and other relevant laws and regulations. Entities undertaking major special projects (or sub-projects) have the obligation to grant licenses—either for a fee or free of charge—to other domestic entities for the implementation of the intellectual property rights they have developed.

Article 49: Professional institutions shall, prior to the commencement of a project (or research topic), reach an agreement with the entity undertaking the project on matters such as the ownership, use, and licensing of intellectual property rights, thereby facilitating the commercialization and application of research outcomes and providing assurance for achieving the overall objectives of the major special project.

Article 50: Each major special project shall take concrete measures to promote the transformation and industrialization of scientific and technological achievements. For achievements involving state secrets, management shall be conducted in accordance with national laws and regulations on confidentiality.

Article 51: Intangible assets generated during the implementation of major special projects (subjects) shall be managed and utilized by the entities undertaking the projects (subjects). The economic benefits derived from technology transfer and the use of intangible assets shall be governed by the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting the Commercialization of Scientific and Technological Achievements" and relevant national regulations.

Article 52: Fixed assets formed using central government financial funds shall be governed by relevant national regulations.

Chapter 10: Information, Archives, and Confidentiality Management

Article 53: The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for establishing a unified information management platform for major special projects and integrating it into the National Science and Technology Management Information System. Each major special project shall establish a sub-platform for information management, which will be linked to the central management platform to ensure smooth information flow.

Article 54: Information content primarily includes details related to major special implementation plans, phased implementation plans, annual plans, project (subject) approval, funding budgets, supervision and evaluation, scientific and technological reports, acceptance procedures, and research outcomes.

Article 55: Information pertaining to the task contracts of each major special project (subject), information on the implementation status of projects (subjects), and information on the acceptance and outcomes of projects (subjects) shall be submitted together with the annual implementation report by December each year. Submit the report to the Ministry of Science and Technology before the end of the month, with a copy sent to the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

Article 56: Each major special project shall, in accordance with the national and three-department regulations on archival management, establish and improve its own archival management system for the project. It shall diligently carry out the organization, preservation, filing, and handover of relevant archives, integrating archival management throughout the entire process—from the formulation and feasibility study of the project plan to its implementation, assessment, and acceptance—thus ensuring that all required archives are collected completely and preserved in their entirety.

Article 57: The organization and implementation of major special projects must strictly comply with the state’s laws and regulations on confidentiality. A responsibility system for confidentiality work, characterized by clear hierarchical structure and well-defined duties, must be established to ensure that responsibilities for confidentiality in major special projects are assigned to specific individuals.

Article 58: During the implementation period of each major special project, the confidentiality management work shall be the responsibility of the leading organization of the major special project. Under the guidance of the leading organization of the major special project, specialized agencies shall diligently carry out management, supervision, inspection, as well as education, training, and publicity related to the confidentiality of the major special project.

Article 59: Strictly comply with the state’s regulations and requirements for strengthening information security. Confidential information and archives related to major special projects shall be managed in strict accordance with the state’s relevant laws and regulations on confidentiality.

Chapter Eleven: International Cooperation

Article 60: To fully leverage international resources, we must actively engage in international cooperation characterized by equality, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes. In alignment with major specialized project objectives, we should place great emphasis on introducing, digesting, absorbing, and then re-innovating. We need to formulate systematic plans and measures for the introduction, digestion, absorption, and enhancement of our own innovation capabilities, and implement these plans only after rigorous scientific validation.

Article 61: Under the guidance of the leading organizing entity, specialized agencies shall be responsible for the specific tasks related to international cooperation on major special projects.

Article 62: Major international cooperation activities undertaken by the entity responsible for a project (or research topic) that are related to a major special program shall be approved by the specialized agency and ratified by the leading organization of the major special program.

Article 63: International cooperation activities under major special projects shall comply with relevant regulations on foreign affairs and confidentiality.

Chapter 12: Supplementary Provisions

Article 64: Each major special project shall, in accordance with these Regulations and taking into account the specific characteristics of the project, formulate corresponding implementation and management detailed rules and submit them for record to the three departments.

Article 65: These Regulations shall be interpreted by the three departments and shall take effect as of the date of their promulgation. The “Interim Provisions for the Management of National Major Science and Technology Projects” (Guo Ke Fa Ji ﹝2008 453 No. ) is hereby repealed simultaneously.