Law of the People's Republic of China on Progress in Science and Technology

(Adopted at the Second Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress on July 2, 1993; first revised at the 31st Session of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress on December 29, 2007; second revised at the 32nd Session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress on December 24, 2021)

　　Table of Contents

　　Chapter 1 General Provisions

　　Chapter 2: Basic Research

　　Chapter 3: Applied Research and Technology Transfer

　　Chapter 4: Enterprise Technological Innovation

　　Chapter Five: Scientific and Technological Research and Development Institutions

　　Chapter Six: Scientific and Technical Personnel

　　Chapter 7: Regional Technological Innovation

　　Chapter 8: International Scientific and Technological Cooperation

　　Chapter Nine: Safeguard Measures

　　Chapter Ten: Supervision and Management

　　Chapter Eleven: Legal Liability

　　Chapter XII: Supplementary Provisions

　　Chapter 1 General Provisions

　　Article 1: In order to comprehensively promote scientific and technological progress, harness the roles of science and technology as the primary productive force, innovation as the primary driving force, and talent as the primary resource, facilitate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces, and propel scientific and technological innovation to support and lead economic and social development, thereby fully building a modern socialist country, this Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution.

　　Article 2: Uphold the Communist Party of China’s comprehensive leadership over the cause of science and technology.

　　The country adheres to the new development philosophy and upholds the central role of scientific and technological innovation in the overall process of national modernization. It regards self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology as a strategic underpinning for national development, implements the strategy of rejuvenating the nation through science and education, the strategy of building a strong country through talent, and the innovation-driven development strategy. It is pursuing a path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics and working toward becoming a great scientific and technological power.

　　Article 3: The work of advancing science and technology shall be oriented toward the global forefront of science and technology, the main battlefields of the economy, major national needs, and the health and well-being of the people, thereby serving to promote economic and social development, safeguard national security, and advance sustainable human development.

　　The state encourages scientific and technological research and development, promotes the use of science and technology to transform and upgrade traditional industries, develops high-tech industries and social undertakings, supports the achievement of carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, fosters new drivers of development, and realizes high-quality development.

　　Article 4: The State shall improve a national innovation system that is efficient, coordinated, and open; integrate technological innovation with institutional innovation; refine the new national system of mobilizing resources under the conditions of the socialist market economy; fully leverage the decisive role of the market in allocating innovation resources; enhance the role of the government; optimize the allocation of scientific and technological resources; boost resource utilization efficiency; foster close cooperation among various innovation actors; ensure the orderly flow of innovation factors; continuously optimize the innovation ecosystem; strengthen both systemic capabilities and the capacity for achieving key breakthroughs; and enhance the overall effectiveness of the innovation system.

　　The nation is building and strengthening a national strategic science and technology force, with national laboratories, national scientific and technological research and development institutions, high-level research universities, and leading science and technology enterprises as key components. This force will play a strategic supporting and leading role and deliver significant original innovations in critical areas and priority directions, thereby serving the nation’s major strategic needs.

　　Article 5: The State shall coordinate development and security, enhance its capacity for governing technological security, improve institutional mechanisms for preventing and resolving technological security risks, strengthen safety management of scientific and technological research, development, and application activities, support technological innovation in the field of national security, and bolster the ability and level of technological innovation in underpinning national security.

　　Article 6: The State encourages the integration of scientific and technological research and development with higher education and industrial development, and promotes interdisciplinary integration and mutual reinforcement among different fields of study.

　　The state is strengthening scientific and technological cooperation across regions, industries, and sectors, and providing support for scientific and technological progress in old revolutionary base areas, ethnic minority regions, remote areas, and underdeveloped regions.

　　The state is strengthening the coordinated development of military and civilian science and technology, promoting mutual exchange of resources and technological development needs between military and civilian sectors, facilitating two-way technology transfer, and advancing dual-use technologies.

　　Article 7: The State adheres to the principle of combining the pursuit of scientific and technological activities that serve national goals with the encouragement of free exploration. It proactively deploys major basic research, cutting-edge technology research with significant potential for industrial applications, and socially beneficial technology research. It supports the sustained and stable development of basic research, cutting-edge technology research, and socially beneficial technology research, strengthens original innovation and tackles key core technologies, and accelerates the achievement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening.

　　Article 8: The State guarantees the freedom to conduct scientific and technological research and development, encourages scientific exploration and technological innovation, and protects the legitimate rights and interests of scientific and technological personnel, including their freedom to engage in independent exploration.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises and public institutions, and citizens have the right to independently select research topics, explore unknown scientific fields, and engage in basic research, cutting-edge technology research, and socially beneficial technology research.

　　Article 9: Schools and other educational institutions shall adhere to the principle of combining theory with practice, and place emphasis on cultivating learners’ abilities in independent thinking, practical skills, innovation, and critical thinking, as well as fostering a scientific spirit characterized by the pursuit of truth, reverence for innovation, and adherence to factual evidence.

　　The state recognizes the important role of higher education institutions in scientific and technological research, encourages these institutions to engage in scientific research, technological development, and social services, and fosters advanced specialized talents who possess a sense of social responsibility, a spirit of innovation, and practical capabilities.

　　Article 10: Scientific and technical personnel are an important talent pool for the cause of socialist modernization and should be respected by the entire society.

　　The country upholds the strategic position of talent-led development, deepens reform of the talent development system and mechanisms, comprehensively cultivates, attracts, and makes good use of talent, fosters an environment that aligns with the principles of scientific and technological innovation and the laws of talent growth, and fully leverages the role of talent as the primary resource.

　　Article 11: The State shall foster a social environment conducive to scientific and technological innovation and encourage government agencies, mass organizations, enterprises and public institutions, social organizations, and citizens to participate in and support activities promoting scientific and technological progress.

　　The entire society should respect labor, respect knowledge, respect talent, and respect creativity, thus fostering a culture that cherishes science.

　　Article 12: The State shall develop science and technology popularization efforts, disseminate scientific and technological knowledge, strengthen the infrastructure and capacity-building for science and technology popularization, and enhance the scientific and cultural literacy of all citizens, especially young people.

　　Popularizing science and technology is a shared responsibility of the entire society. The state has established and improved an incentive mechanism for popularizing science and technology, encouraging scientific research and development institutions, universities, enterprises and public institutions, social organizations, and scientific and technological personnel to actively participate in and support science and technology outreach activities.

　　Article 13: The State shall formulate and implement an intellectual property strategy, establish and improve the intellectual property system, foster a social environment that respects intellectual property rights, protect intellectual property rights, and encourage independent innovation.

　　Enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and scientific and technological personnel should enhance their awareness of intellectual property rights, strengthen their capacity for independent innovation, improve their ability to create, utilize, protect, manage, and service intellectual property, and elevate the quality of their intellectual property assets.

　　Article 14: The State shall establish and improve a scientific and technological evaluation system that is conducive to innovation.

　　The evaluation of science and technology should adhere to the principles of openness, fairness, and impartiality, and be guided by the quality, contribution, and performance of scientific and technological innovation. Based on the characteristics of different scientific and technological activities, a categorized evaluation approach should be adopted.

　　Article 15: The State Council shall lead the nationwide efforts to promote scientific and technological progress, formulate medium- and long-term plans for science and technology development and innovation, and identify major national science and technology projects as well as major projects closely related to science and technology. The medium- and long-term plans for science and technology development and innovation shall clearly set forth guiding principles, play a strategic guiding role, and provide direction and coordination for the layout of scientific and technological development, allocation of resources, and policy formulation.

　　People's governments at or above the county level shall incorporate scientific and technological progress into national economic and social development plans, ensuring that scientific and technological advancement is coordinated with economic development and social progress.

　　People's governments at all local levels shall adopt effective measures to strengthen the organization and management of scientific and technological progress, optimize the environment for scientific and technological development, and promote scientific and technological advancement.

　　Article 16: The science and technology administrative department of the State Council is responsible for the macro-management, overall coordination, service support, and supervision and implementation of national scientific and technological progress. Other relevant departments of the State Council shall, within their respective areas of responsibility, be responsible for related scientific and technological progress work.

　　The science and technology administrative departments of local people's governments at or above the county level are responsible for promoting scientific and technological progress within their respective administrative regions. Other relevant departments of local people's governments at or above the county level shall, within the scope of their respective responsibilities, be responsible for related work on scientific and technological progress.

　　Article 17: The State shall establish a coordination mechanism for promoting scientific and technological progress, to study major issues in the advancement of science and technology, coordinate the establishment and mutual alignment of national science and technology programs, and coordinate major matters such as the allocation of scientific and technological resources, the integration of scientific and technological research and development institutions, and the integration of scientific and technological research and development with higher education and industrial development.

　　Article 18: May 30 each year is designated as National Science and Technology Workers’ Day.

　　The State shall establish and improve a system of awards for science and technology, setting up awards such as the National Supreme Science and Technology Award, and shall confer rewards on organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to advances in science and technology. Specific measures shall be prescribed by the State Council.

　　The state encourages organizations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, to establish science and technology awards, and provides recognition and rewards to organizations and individuals that have made contributions to advancements in science and technology.

　　Chapter 2: Basic Research

　　Article 19: The State shall strengthen the building of basic research capabilities, respect the laws governing scientific development and the growth of talent, and enhance the systematic planning of projects, talent, and research bases, thereby providing sound material conditions and robust institutional safeguards for the development of basic research.

　　The country is strengthening planning and deployment to promote the organic integration of free exploration and goal-oriented approaches in basic research. Focusing on the forefront of science and technology, economic and social development, major national security needs, and people’s health and well-being, we will concentrate on critical and key technological challenges, bolster basic research in emerging and strategic industries, and enhance our capacity to provide original scientific and technological innovations.

　　The state encourages scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises, and other entities to leverage their respective strengths, strengthen basic research, and promote original innovation.

　　Article 20: The national treasury shall establish a stable funding mechanism to support basic research.

　　The state encourages local people's governments in areas that meet the conditions to rationally determine their financial investment in basic research and strengthen support for such research, taking into account the economic and social development needs of their respective regions.

　　The state guides enterprises to increase their investment in basic research, encourages social forces to make multi-channel contributions to basic research through donations, fund establishment, and other means, and provides policy support in areas such as finance, taxation, and financial incentives.

　　Gradually increase the proportion of funding for basic research in the total expenditure on scientific and technological research and development across society, aligning with the requirements for building an innovation-driven country and a science-and-technology powerhouse.

　　Article 21: The State shall establish the National Natural Science Fund to provide funding for basic research, support talent development, and promote team building. In determining the projects to be funded by the National Natural Science Fund, the principles of macro-guidance, self-application, equal competition, peer review, and selection based on merit shall be adhered to.

　　Where conditions permit, the people's governments at the local level may establish natural science funds, in light of their region’s actual economic and social conditions and development needs, to support basic research.

　　Article 22: The State shall improve the layout of academic disciplines and the construction of the knowledge system, promote interdisciplinary integration, and foster coordinated development between basic research and applied research.

　　Article 23: The State will intensify efforts to cultivate talent in basic research, strengthen stable support for such talent, and enhance both the quality and level of the basic research workforce.

　　The state will establish a resource allocation mechanism that meets the needs of basic research, develop an evaluation system and incentive mechanisms tailored to basic research, foster a favorable environment conducive to dedicated engagement in basic research, and encourage and attract outstanding science and technology professionals to devote themselves to basic research.

　　Article 24: The state will strengthen the development of basic research infrastructure.

　　The country is improving the foundational infrastructure for basic research and promoting open sharing.

　　Article 25: The State supports higher education institutions in strengthening the development of fundamental disciplines and cultivating talent for basic research, enhancing their capacity for independent planning and deployment of basic research, and promoting high-quality development of basic research at higher education institutions.

　　Chapter 3: Applied Research and Technology Transfer

　　Article 26: The State encourages using applied research to drive basic research and promote the integrated development of basic research, applied research, and the commercialization of research findings.

　　The country is improving the supply system for common foundational technologies, promoting deep integration between the innovation chain and the industrial chain, and ensuring the security of industrial and supply chains.

　　Article 27: The State shall establish and improve a coordination mechanism for scientific research and technological breakthroughs. Focusing on major needs related to economic and social development, national security, and people’s health and well-being, the State will strengthen integrated allocation of projects, talent, research bases, and funding in key areas, promote close cooperation among industry, academia, and research institutions, and advance the independent control of critical core technologies.

　　Article 28: The State shall improve the national system for tackling key core technologies, organize and implement major scientific and technological tasks that reflect national strategic needs, systematically plan major scientific and technological projects with foresight and strategic significance, and proactively deploy research and development of critical core technologies.

　　Article 29: The State shall strengthen the development of common technology platforms and scientific and technological research and development institutions that are oriented toward the needs of industrial development, and encourage localities to establish applied research and scientific and technological research and development institutions tailored to their specific development needs.

　　The state encourages scientific and technological research and development institutions and universities to strengthen their research on common and foundational technologies. It also encourages enterprises to take the lead in conducting research and development activities that are market-oriented and geared toward industrial applications.

　　Article 30: The State shall strengthen the pilot-scale testing, engineering development, and industrialization of scientific and technological achievements, as well as their application, and accelerate the transformation of these achievements into real productive forces.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions and universities established with fiscal funds shall actively promote the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, strengthen the building of technology transfer institutions and talent teams, and establish and improve systems to facilitate the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.

　　Article 31: The State encourages enterprises, scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, and other organizations to establish cooperative mechanisms characterized by complementary strengths, clear division of labor, shared outcomes, and shared risks. In accordance with market mechanisms, these entities may jointly set up research and development platforms, technology innovation alliances, innovation consortia, and the like, collaboratively promoting research and development as well as the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of technology transfer and transformation.

　　Article 32: Scientific and technological achievements generated from science and technology programs established with fiscal funds shall, provided that national security, national interests, and major public interests are not compromised, be authorized to the project implementers to obtain relevant intellectual property rights in accordance with the law. The project implementers may, in accordance with the law, independently invest in the commercialization of these achievements, transfer them to others, jointly carry out commercialization with others, license their use to others, or contribute them as equity investments, among other options.

　　The project implementer shall, in accordance with the law, exercise the intellectual property rights specified in the preceding paragraph and take appropriate protective measures. It shall also submit an annual report to the project management agency on the status of such exercise and protection efforts. If the intellectual property rights are not exercised within a reasonable period without justifiable reasons, the State may exercise them gratuitously or grant licenses to others for paid or unpaid implementation.

　　The intellectual property rights acquired by the project implementer in accordance with the law under paragraph 1 of this article may, for the needs of national security, national interests, and major public interests, be implemented by the state free of charge, or licensed to others for paid or unpaid implementation.

　　The distribution of benefits arising from the implementation of the intellectual property rights stipulated in paragraph 1 of this article shall be governed by applicable laws and regulations; where no specific provisions are made in such laws and regulations, the distribution shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed terms.

　　Article 33: The State shall implement a distribution policy oriented toward enhancing the value of knowledge, advance reforms to the mechanisms for ownership and benefit-sharing of intellectual property rights in accordance with relevant State regulations, and explore establishing a system that grants scientific and technological personnel ownership or long-term usage rights over their official scientific and technological achievements.

　　Article 34: The State encourages that intellectual property rights arising from science and technology programs established with fiscal funds be first utilized within the territory of China.

　　The transfer of the intellectual property rights specified in the preceding paragraph to organizations or individuals outside China, or the granting of exclusive implementation rights to such organizations or individuals, shall be subject to the approval of the project management authority. If any other provisions are stipulated by laws or administrative regulations regarding the approving authority, such provisions shall prevail.

　　Article 35: The State encourages the application of new technologies and, in accordance with the principles of inclusiveness and prudence, promotes pilot programs for the application of new technologies, new products, new services, and new business models, thereby creating favorable conditions for the adoption of these new technologies and products.

　　Article 36: The State encourages and supports applied research in agricultural science and technology, the dissemination and popularization of agricultural scientific and technological knowledge, the acceleration of the transformation and industrialization of agricultural scientific and technological achievements, the promotion of advances in agricultural science and technology, and the use of agricultural science and technology to guide rural revitalization and the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

　　People's governments at or above the county level shall take measures to support public-interest agricultural science and technology research and development institutions and agricultural technology extension institutions in conducting research, development, application, and promotion of new agricultural varieties and new technologies.

　　People's governments at all local levels should encourage and guide agricultural science and technology service institutions, science and technology special commissioners, and mass-based science and technology organizations in rural areas to provide scientific and technological services for the development of crop cultivation, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other sectors, as well as to offer farmers scientific and technological training and guidance.

　　Article 37: The State shall promote the integration of scientific and technological research and development with the formulation of product and service standards, as well as the integration of scientific and technological research and development with product design and manufacturing. The State shall guide scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises, and social organizations to jointly advance the research, formulation, and lawful adoption of national major technological innovation products and service standards, and to participate in the formulation of international standards.

　　Article 38: The State shall foster and develop a technology market that is unified, open, interconnected, and characterized by orderly competition. It shall encourage the establishment of intermediary service institutions engaged in activities such as technology assessment, technology brokerage, and innovation and entrepreneurship services. The State will also guide the creation of a socialized, specialized, networked, information-based, and intelligent technology trading and innovation-and-entrepreneurship service system, thereby promoting the application and dissemination of scientific and technological achievements.

　　Technology trading activities shall adhere to the principles of voluntary equality, mutual benefit and compensation, and honesty and good faith.

　　Chapter 4: Enterprise Technological Innovation

　　Article 39: The State shall establish a technological innovation system in which enterprises play the leading role, market orientation is paramount, and enterprises closely collaborate with scientific and technological research and development institutions as well as universities. The State will guide and support enterprises’ technological innovation activities, encourage and assist enterprises in taking the lead in national key scientific and technological projects, and fully leverage the enterprises’ pivotal role in technological innovation. Enterprises will be empowered to take the lead in technological innovation decision-making, research investment, research organization, and technology transfer, thereby promoting the concentration of various innovation factors within enterprises and enhancing their capacity for technological innovation.

　　The state is fostering leading science and technology enterprises that are influential and competitive, fully leveraging their role in driving innovation.

　　Article 40: The State encourages enterprises to carry out the following activities:

　　(1) Establish an internal scientific and technological research and development institution;

　　(2) Collaborate with other enterprises, scientific and technological research and development institutions, or universities to conduct joint research, jointly establish scientific and technological research and development institutions and platforms, set up technology business incubators and innovation and entrepreneurship platforms, or carry out scientific and technological research and development through commissioned projects or other similar arrangements.

　　(3) Cultivate, attract, and employ scientific and technological personnel;

　　(4) Jointly cultivate professional and technical personnel and highly skilled talents with scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, vocational colleges, or training organizations; and attract university graduates to work in enterprises.

　　(5) Establish postdoctoral workstations or mobile stations;

　　(6) Combine technological innovation with employee skills training to carry out science and technology outreach activities, and establish venues or facilities open to the public for popularizing science and technology.

　　Article 41: The State encourages enterprises to strengthen original innovation, engage in technological cooperation and exchange, increase investment in research and development and technological innovation, independently identify research and development topics, and carry out technological innovation activities.

　　The state encourages enterprises to digest, absorb, and re-innovate imported technologies.

　　Research and development expenses incurred by enterprises in developing new technologies, new products, and new processes may be deducted before tax and subject to additional deductions in accordance with relevant national regulations. Furthermore, scientific and technological research and development instruments and equipment used by enterprises may be depreciated at an accelerated rate.

　　Article 42: The State shall improve the multi-tiered capital market, establish and refine mechanisms to promote scientific and technological innovation, and support qualified science and technology enterprises in leveraging the capital market to drive their own development.

　　The state is strengthening guidance and policy support, broadening sources of venture capital through multiple channels, and providing support for the entrepreneurial development of enterprises.

　　The state is improving the system for IPO financing of technology-based enterprises, smoothing domestic IPO financing channels for these enterprises, and leveraging the capital market’s role in providing financing to support technological innovation.

　　Article 43: The following enterprises shall enjoy tax incentives in accordance with relevant state regulations:

　　(1) Enterprises engaged in the research, development, and production of high-tech products;

　　(2) Technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises;

　　(3) Venture capital enterprises that invest in start-up technology companies;

　　(4) Other enterprises related to scientific and technological progress as prescribed by laws and administrative regulations.

　　Article 44: The State provides support for the construction and operation of public research and development platforms as well as science and technology intermediary and innovation and entrepreneurship service institutions.

　　Public research and development platforms, science and technology intermediaries, and innovation and entrepreneurship service agencies shall provide services to support technological innovation by small and medium-sized enterprises.

　　Article 45: The State protects the intellectual property rights obtained by enterprises through research and development. Enterprises shall continuously enhance the quality and effectiveness of their intellectual property rights, and strengthen their capabilities in independent innovation and market competitiveness.

　　Article 46: State-owned enterprises shall establish and improve systems for research and development investment, distribution, and performance evaluation that are conducive to technological innovation, and refine incentive and constraint mechanisms.

　　The heads of state-owned enterprises are responsible for the technological advancement of their enterprises. In assessing the performance of leaders of state-owned enterprises, the assessment criteria should include the enterprises’ investment in innovation, the development of innovation capabilities, and the effectiveness of innovation efforts.

　　Article 47: Local people's governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall create a market environment that fosters fair competition and promote technological advancement in enterprises.

　　Relevant departments of the State Council and provincial-level people's governments shall, through the formulation of policies on industry, finance, monetary affairs, energy, environmental protection, and climate change response, guide and encourage enterprises to conduct research and development of new technologies, new products, and new processes; carry out technological upgrades and equipment modernization; phase out outdated technologies and processes; and cease production of products that rely on obsolete technologies.

　　Chapter Five: Scientific and Technological Research and Development Institutions

　　Article 48: The State shall comprehensively plan the layout of scientific and technological research and development institutions and establish and improve a scientific and technological research and development system.

　　The state is establishing national laboratories in major areas of scientific and technological innovation that are critical to national security and the overall development of the economy and society. It is also working to build and improve a laboratory system led by national laboratories and supported by key national laboratories across the country, while refining and strengthening mechanisms for stable support.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions established with fiscal funds shall adhere to a strategy oriented toward national strategic needs, providing public scientific and technological services and emergency technological support.

　　Article 49: Natural persons, legal persons, and non-legal organizations have the right, in accordance with the law, to establish scientific and technological research and development institutions. Organizations or individuals from outside China may independently establish scientific and technological research and development institutions within China in compliance with the law, or they may jointly establish such institutions with organizations or individuals within China.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions engaged in basic research, cutting-edge technology research, and socially beneficial technology research may be established using fiscal funds. When establishing scientific and technological research and development institutions with fiscal funds, it is necessary to optimize resource allocation and prevent redundant establishment.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions and higher education institutions may establish postdoctoral fellowships or workstations. Scientific and technological research and development institutions may, in accordance with the law, set up branches abroad.

　　Article 50: Scientific and technological research and development institutions shall enjoy the following rights:

　　(1) Organize or participate in academic activities in accordance with the law;

　　(2) In accordance with relevant national regulations, independently determine the directions and projects for scientific and technological research and development; autonomously decide on matters related to internal management, including the use of funds, organizational structure, performance evaluation and salary distribution, professional title assessment, commercialization of scientific and technological achievements and distribution of resulting benefits, job establishment, personnel recruitment, and rational staff mobility.

　　(3) Jointly conduct scientific and technological research and development, technical consulting, and technical services with other scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, and enterprises;

　　(4) Receiving social donations and funding;

　　(5) Other rights prescribed by laws and administrative regulations.

　　Article 51: Scientific and technological research and development institutions shall, in accordance with the law, formulate articles of association and carry out scientific and technological research and development activities within the scope of functions and business areas stipulated in their articles of association. They shall strengthen the building of a sound scientific research ethos and academic atmosphere, establish and improve systems for research integrity and scientific ethics management, and comply with the regulatory norms governing scientific research activities. Such institutions shall neither organize, participate in, nor support superstitious activities.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions established with fiscal funds shall conduct scientific and technological research and development activities that serve national objectives and the public interest. Where conditions permit, such institutions shall open their venues or facilities for popularizing science and technology to the public and organize activities aimed at promoting scientific and technological literacy.

　　Article 52: Scientific and technological research and development institutions established with fiscal funds shall establish a modern institutional framework characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, scientific evaluation, openness and orderliness, and standardized management. These institutions shall implement a system of responsibility vested in the director or institute director, establish systems such as a scientific and technological advisory committee and a supervisory system involving the staff congress, and actively involve external experts in management while accepting social oversight. The appointment and hiring of directors or institute directors shall be conducted through a competitive selection process.

　　Article 53: The State shall improve the evaluation system for scientific and technological research and development institutions established with fiscal funds, and the evaluation results shall serve as the basis for the establishment, support, adjustment, and termination of such institutions.

　　Article 54: Scientific and technological research and development institutions established with fiscal funds shall establish and improve mechanisms for the open sharing of scientific and technological resources, thereby promoting the effective utilization of such resources.

　　The state encourages science and technology research and development institutions established by social forces to implement open access and resource sharing of scientific and technological resources within a reasonable scope.

　　Article 55: The State encourages enterprises and other social forces to establish their own scientific and technological research and development institutions, and safeguards their legitimate rights and interests.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions established by social forces have the right, in accordance with relevant national regulations, to compete on an equal footing and participate in the implementation of scientific and technological program projects funded by fiscal funds.

　　The state will improve the tax incentive system for non-profit scientific and technological research and development institutions established by social forces.

　　Article 56: The State supports the development of new types of research and development institutions and other innovative entities, and will improve their development model by diversifying sources of investment, modernizing management systems, marketizing operational mechanisms, and enhancing flexibility in personnel management. It will also guide these new innovative entities to focus on scientific research, technological innovation, and R&D services.

　　Chapter Six: Scientific and Technical Personnel

　　Article 57: The State shall foster a social environment that respects and cherishes talent, a systemic environment characterized by fairness, equality, and competition based on merit, and a living environment offering appropriate remuneration and robust safeguards, thereby creating favorable conditions for scientific and technological personnel to devote themselves wholeheartedly to research.

　　The state has adopted a variety of measures to enhance the social status of science and technology personnel, cultivate and develop specialized scientific and technological talents, and ensure that these personnel can fully devote themselves to scientific and technological innovation as well as research and development activities, thereby giving full play to their roles. It is prohibited to treat science and technology personnel and their scientific and technological achievements unfairly in any manner or by any means.

　　Article 58: The State shall accelerate the development of strategic talent pools, optimize the structure of the science and technology workforce, and improve mechanisms for cultivating, identifying, attracting, employing, and evaluating innovative talents and teams—including strategic scientists and leading scientific and technological professionals. It will also implement supporting policies covering talent pipelines, research conditions, and management systems.

　　Article 59: The State shall improve the mechanisms for educating and cultivating innovative talent by strengthening the fostering of scientific interest in basic education, enhancing the development of technical skills in vocational education, reinforcing the integration of higher education resource allocation with the cultivation of innovative talent in science and technology, and bolstering and refining the strategic reserve of science and technology professionals.

　　Article 60: Governments at all levels, enterprises, public institutions, and social organizations shall adopt measures to improve the income distribution mechanism in a way that reflects the value of innovative factors such as knowledge and technology, optimize income structures, establish a mechanism for stable wage growth, and raise the wage levels of scientific and technological personnel. Outstanding scientific and technological personnel who have made remarkable contributions shall be provided with generous benefits and honored incentives.

　　Scientific and technological personnel working at scientific and technological research and development institutions and higher education institutions established with fiscal funds may, with the approval of their respective organizations and provided they fulfill their job duties, complete their primary tasks, and avoid conflicts of interest, engage in part-time work to earn legitimate income. The extraction of rewards and remuneration for activities such as technology development, technical consulting, and technical services shall be governed by the relevant provisions on the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.

　　The state encourages scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises, and other entities to incentivize scientific and technological personnel through methods such as equity participation, stock options, and profit-sharing.

　　Article 61: People's governments at all levels and enterprises and institutions shall ensure that scientific and technological personnel have the right to receive continuing education, and shall create an environment and conditions conducive to the rational, smooth, and orderly mobility of such personnel, enabling them to fully leverage their expertise.

　　Article 62: Scientific and technical personnel may, based on their academic qualifications and professional competence, choose their workplaces, compete for relevant positions, and obtain corresponding posts or titles.

　　Scientific and technological personnel shall honor their work commitments, fulfill their job responsibilities, and complete the tasks corresponding to their positions or titles.

　　Article 63: The State shall implement a categorized evaluation system for scientific and technological personnel, adopting different evaluation criteria and methods for those engaged in various scientific and technological activities. This system shall emphasize innovation-driven values, capabilities, and contributions, appropriately determine remuneration and benefits, allocate academic resources, and set evaluation cycles. By doing so, it will establish a talent evaluation framework that encourages scientific and technological personnel to focus on research and innovation, thereby stimulating their innovative vitality.

　　Article 64: The relevant departments, including those responsible for science and technology administration, as well as enterprises and institutions, shall improve the management system for scientific and technological personnel, enhance their service awareness and capacity to provide support, streamline management procedures, avoid redundant inspections and evaluations, reduce the burden on scientific and technological personnel in areas such as project applications, submission of materials, and reimbursement of expenses, and ensure that scientific and technological personnel have sufficient time for research.

　　Article 65: For scientific and technical personnel working in arduous, remote areas or in harsh and hazardous environments, their employers shall, in accordance with relevant national regulations, provide subsidies, ensure that they receive the occupational health and safety protection and security measures appropriate to their positions or workplaces, and offer convenient conditions for them to pursue continuing education and professional training.

　　Article 66: Young scientific and technological personnel, scientific and technological personnel from ethnic minority groups, female scientific and technological personnel, and others shall enjoy equal rights in competing for professional and technical positions, participating in scientific and technological evaluations, undertaking scientific and technological research and development projects, and receiving continuing education. Senior scientific and technological personnel are encouraged to play an active role in advancing science and technology.

　　People's governments at all levels and enterprises and institutions should create an environment and provide the necessary conditions for the growth of young science and technology personnel. They should encourage young science and technology personnel to be bold in exploration and daring in experimentation in the field of science and technology, and fully harness their potential. The identification, cultivation, and utilization of young science and technology personnel should be regarded as an important component in evaluating efforts to advance science and technology.

　　People's governments at all levels and enterprises and institutions should improve the mechanisms for cultivating, evaluating, and incentivizing female science and technology personnel, show care for female science and technology personnel during pregnancy and breastfeeding periods, and encourage and support them to play a greater role in advancing science and technology.

　　Article 67: Scientific and technological personnel shall vigorously promote the spirit of scientists—patriotism, innovation, truth-seeking, dedication, collaboration, and education—and uphold the spirit of craftsmanship. They shall abide by academic and ethical standards in all scientific and technological activities, strictly adhere to professional ethics, and act with honesty and integrity. They shall not engage in fraud or falsification in scientific and technological activities, nor shall they participate in or support superstitious practices.

　　Article 68: The State encourages scientific and technological personnel to pursue exploration freely and to bravely take on risks, fostering a positive atmosphere that promotes innovation and tolerates failure. If original records and other evidence demonstrate that scientific and technological personnel who have undertaken highly exploratory and high-risk science and technology research and development projects have fulfilled their duty of due diligence but are still unable to complete the project, they shall be exempted from liability.

　　Article 69: Records of scientific integrity shall serve as an important basis for appointing scientific and technological personnel to professional and technical positions or titles, reviewing their applications for scientific and technological research and development projects, and granting scientific and technological awards.

　　Article 70: Scientific and technical personnel have the right, in accordance with the law, to establish or join scientific and technological social organizations.

　　Scientific and technological associations and scientific and technological social organizations, in accordance with their articles of association, play a role in promoting academic exchanges, advancing discipline development, fostering scientific and technological innovation, conducting science and technology popularization activities, cultivating specialized talents, providing advisory services, strengthening self-discipline among scientific and technological personnel, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of scientific and technological personnel.

　　The legitimate rights and interests of science and technology associations and science and technology social organizations are protected by law.

　　Chapter 7: Regional Technological Innovation

　　Article 71: The State shall coordinate the regional spatial distribution of scientific and technological resources, promote close alignment between central scientific and technological resources and local development needs, and adopt various measures to support regional scientific and technological innovation.

　　Article 72: Local people's governments at or above the county level shall support scientific and technological research and application, create favorable conditions for promoting the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, and provide a sound innovation environment for fostering regional innovation and development.

　　Article 73: Science and technology programs formulated by the people's governments above the county level and their relevant departments, which are related to industrial development, shall reflect the needs of industrial development.

　　When the people's governments above the county level and their relevant departments identify science and technology program projects, they shall encourage enterprises to compete on an equal footing and participate in project implementation. For projects that meet the needs of industrial development and have clear prospects for market application, enterprises should be encouraged to collaborate with scientific and technological research and development institutions and universities to carry out these projects jointly.

　　The implementation of major local science and technology programs should be aligned with the national deployment of major science and technology tasks.

　　Article 74: The State Council may, as needed, approve the establishment of science and technology parks such as national high-tech industrial development zones and national demonstration zones for independent innovation, and provide guidance and support for the construction and development of these parks, enabling them to develop distinctive features and strengths and to exert agglomeration and demonstration-driven effects.

　　Article 75: The State encourages local people's governments at or above the county level, where conditions permit, to build major scientific and technological innovation bases and platforms in accordance with national development strategies and local development needs, foster innovation and entrepreneurship incubators, and create regional highlands for scientific and technological innovation.

　　The state supports regions with suitable conditions in establishing science and technology innovation centers and comprehensive science centers, enabling them to play a role in radiation and driving effects, deepening innovation and reform, and participating in global scientific and technological cooperation.

　　Article 76: The State shall establish regional mechanisms for technological innovation cooperation and collaborative mutual assistance, encouraging people's governments at all local levels and their relevant departments to carry out cross-regional innovation cooperation and promote the rational flow and efficient aggregation of various innovation factors.

　　Article 77: Major national strategic regions may, leveraging regional innovation platforms, establish mechanisms for sharing benefits, promote the free flow of factors such as talent, technology, and capital, foster open sharing of scientific instruments and equipment, scientific and technological infrastructure, scientific projects, and scientific and technological information resources, and enhance the efficiency of regional transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

　　Article 78: The State encourages localities to actively explore regional models of scientific and technological innovation, respect the inherent patterns of regional concentration in scientific and technological innovation, and, based on local conditions, choose development paths for scientific and technological innovation that are distinctive to their respective regions.

　　Chapter 8: International Scientific and Technological Cooperation

　　Article 79: The State shall promote international scientific and technological cooperation and exchange that are open, inclusive, mutually beneficial, and mutually shared, thereby supporting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

　　Article 80: The Government of the People's Republic of China shall develop scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges with foreign governments and international organizations.

　　The state encourages various innovation entities—including scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, scientific and technological social organizations, enterprises, and scientific and technological personnel—to engage in international scientific and technological cooperation and exchange, actively participate in scientific research activities, promote the open flow of international scientific and technological resources, foster a high-level pattern of open scientific and technological cooperation, and advance global scientific and technological progress.

　　Article 81: The State encourages enterprises, public institutions, and social organizations to establish international platforms for scientific and technological innovation cooperation through various channels and to provide services for international scientific and technological innovation cooperation.

　　Encourage enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and scientific and technological personnel to participate in and initiate international science and technology organizations, thereby enhancing international cooperation and exchange in science and technology.

　　Article 82: The State shall adopt various measures to support cooperation and joint research and development among outstanding science and technology talents from both home and abroad, in order to address common challenges facing humanity and explore the frontiers of science.

　　The state supports scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises, and scientific and technological personnel in actively participating in and initiating the implementation of major international science programs and large-scale scientific projects.

　　The state will improve the mechanisms for protecting intellectual property rights and conducting ethical and security reviews in international scientific and technological research cooperation.

　　Article 83: The State shall expand its openness and cooperation in science and technology programs, encourage foreign-invested enterprises and foreign scientific and technological personnel in China to undertake and participate in science and technology program projects, and improve mechanisms for the participation of overseas scientific and technological personnel in national science and technology programs.

　　Article 84: The State shall improve relevant social services and safeguard measures, encourage scientific and technological personnel working abroad to return to China, and attract foreign scientific and technological personnel to come to China to engage in scientific and technological research and development.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions and other scientific and technological organizations may, according to their development needs, hire overseas scientific and technological personnel. Scientific and technological research and development institutions and higher education institutions established with fiscal funds, when hiring overseas scientific and technological personnel to engage in scientific and technological research and development activities, shall provide convenience for their work and daily life.

　　Foreign outstanding science and technology personnel who come to China to engage in scientific and technological research and development may, in accordance with relevant national regulations, be given priority consideration for permanent residency in China or for obtaining Chinese nationality.

　　Chapter Nine: Safeguard Measures

　　Article 85: The State shall increase its investment of fiscal funds and formulate policies covering industry, finance, taxation, government procurement, and other areas to encourage and guide social capital investment, thereby promoting a sustained and stable growth in the overall societal funding for scientific and technological research and development.

　　Article 86: The State shall gradually raise the overall level of financial input into science and technology; the growth rate of government financial funds allocated to science and technology shall exceed the growth rate of the State’s regular fiscal revenue. The total expenditure on scientific and technological research and development by the entire society should account for an appropriate proportion of the country’s GDP and shall be gradually increased.

　　Article 87: Fiscal science and technology funds shall be primarily used for investment in the following areas:

　　(1) Basic conditions and infrastructure for science and technology;

　　(2) Basic research and cutting-edge interdisciplinary research;

　　(3) Frontier technology research, socially beneficial technology research, and research on major common key technologies that play a strategic, foundational, and forward-looking role in economic development and social progress;

　　(4) Demonstration of the application of major common key technologies and the industrialization of high-tech industries;

　　(5) Research and development of science and technology, as well as the application and promotion of its results, concerning ecological environment and people’s life and health;

　　(6) Research and development of new agricultural varieties and technologies, as well as the application and promotion of agricultural scientific and technological achievements;

　　(7) The training, attraction, and utilization of scientific and technological personnel;

　　(8) Popularization of science and technology.

　　The state provides support—such as funding and experimental facilities—to scientific and technological research and development institutions established with fiscal funds.

　　Article 88: The establishment of national science and technology programs shall be guided by national needs, focus on major national strategic tasks, and follow the principles governing scientific research, technological innovation, and the commercialization of research findings.

　　The state will establish a coordination mechanism for science and technology programs and a performance evaluation system, and strengthen specialized management.

　　Article 89: The State shall establish a fund to provide financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises in carrying out technological innovation and promoting the commercialization and application of scientific and technological achievements.

　　When necessary, the state may establish other non-profit funds to support basic research, socially beneficial technological research, international collaborative research, and other similar areas, thereby providing financial assistance for activities promoting scientific and technological progress.

　　Article 90: Those engaged in the following activities shall enjoy tax incentives in accordance with relevant national regulations:

　　(1) Technology development, technology transfer, technology licensing, technology consulting, and technology services;

　　(2) Supplies for scientific research, technological development, or popularization of science and technology that cannot be produced domestically or whose performance fails to meet requirements;

　　(3) To import key equipment, raw materials, or components that cannot be produced domestically for the implementation of major national science and technology special projects or major projects under the National Science and Technology Program;

　　(4) Science and technology popularization venues, bases, and the like shall carry out science and technology popularization activities open to the public;

　　(5) Donating and providing funding to carry out scientific and technological activities;

　　(6) Other scientific research, technological development, and scientific and technological application activities as prescribed by laws and relevant state regulations.

　　Article 91: For technological innovation products and services offered by natural persons, legal entities, and non-legal organizations within China, if their functional and quality indicators meet the requirements of government procurement, government procurement shall purchase such products and services. For products and services newly introduced to the market, government procurement shall take the lead in purchasing them and shall not impose restrictions on the basis of commercial performance.

　　For government procurement products that are still under research and development, implementation shall be carried out through ordering. The procuring entity shall, as a priority, adopt a competitive approach to select scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, or enterprises to conduct the research and development. Once the product development has been successfully completed and passed the agreed-upon quality standards, procurement shall proceed according to the agreed terms.

　　Article 92: The State encourages financial institutions to engage in intellectual property pledge financing business. It also encourages and guides financial institutions to provide support—through credit, investment, and other means—to the application of science and technology and to the development of high-tech industries. Furthermore, it encourages insurance institutions to develop insurance products tailored to the needs of high-tech industry development, thereby promoting the application of new technologies.

　　Article 93: The State, in accordance with the principles of overall planning and optimized allocation, shall integrate and establish national scientific and technological research and experimental bases.

　　The state encourages the establishment of comprehensive scientific and technological experimental service institutions that provide, or commission others to provide, scientific and technological experimental services for scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises, and scientific and technological personnel.

　　Article 94: Based on the needs of advancing science and technology, the State shall, in accordance with the principles of overall planning, emphasis on sharing, optimized allocation, comprehensive integration, government leadership, and multi-party collaboration, coordinate the procurement of large-scale scientific instruments and equipment. It shall also carry out joint evaluations of large-scale scientific instruments and equipment primarily procured using fiscal funds.

　　Article 95: The State shall strengthen the development of academic journals, improve mechanisms for exchanging research papers and scientific and technological information, promote the development of open science, and facilitate the exchange and dissemination of science and technology.

　　Article 96: The State encourages organizations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, to donate property and establish science and technology funds to support scientific and technological research and development as well as the popularization of science and technology.

　　Article 97: Scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, and enterprises established with fiscal funds—during the process of promoting reforms in scientific and technological management, conducting scientific and technological research and development, and implementing the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements—shall be exempt from liability for their decision-making if their responsible persons have demonstrated a spirit of bold innovation and exploration, made decisions that subsequently turned out to be mistaken or deviated from the intended course, yet fulfilled their duty of reasonable care and oversight obligations and did not seek any illegal gains.

　　Chapter Ten: Supervision and Management

　　Article 98: The State shall strengthen the rule of law in science and technology and the building of a sound scientific research ethos and academic atmosphere. It shall establish and improve systems for scientific integrity and mechanisms for supervising scientific and technological activities, and refine the governance framework for scientific and technological ethics, thereby fostering a favorable environment for scientific and technological innovation.

　　Article 99: The State shall improve the rules and procedures for scientific and technological decision-making, establish standardized consultation and decision-making mechanisms, and promote the scientific, democratic, and rule-of-law-based nature of decision-making.

　　The state will reform and improve the system for consulting on major scientific and technological decision-making. When formulating science and technology development plans and major policies, and when identifying major science and technology projects as well as major projects closely related to science and technology, it is essential to fully solicit the opinions of scientific and technological personnel, leverage the role of think tanks, broaden public participation, conduct scientific assessments, and implement evidence-based decision-making.

　　Article 100: The State shall strengthen performance management of fiscal funds allocated to science and technology, thereby enhancing the efficiency of fund allocation and the effectiveness of their use. The management and use of fiscal funds for science and technology shall be subject to supervision and inspection by audit authorities and financial departments.

　　Relevant departments, including those responsible for science and technology administration, shall strengthen supervision over the implementation of science and technology programs established with fiscal funds and enhance coordination, evaluation, and oversight of research project funding.

　　No organization or individual shall falsely report, fraudulently claim, embezzle, misappropriate, or withhold fiscal science and technology funds.

　　Article 101: The State shall establish a categorized management mechanism for science and technology program projects and strengthen the assessment and evaluation of their practical effectiveness. Science and technology program projects established with fiscal funds shall be initiated on the basis of problem-oriented, goal-oriented, and demand-oriented approaches, and project implementers shall be selected through competitive procedures in accordance with relevant national regulations.

　　The state shall establish a science and technology management information system, build a database of review experts, and improve the expert review system for science and technology programs, as well as the systems for selecting, recusing, maintaining confidentiality, and holding accountable review experts.

　　Article 102: The science and technology administrative department of the State Council shall, in collaboration with relevant departments of the State Council, establish information systems and resource databases for scientific and technological research facilities, scientific instruments and equipment, as well as for scientific and technological literature, scientific and technological data, scientific and technological natural resources, and science popularization resources. These systems and databases shall promptly disclose to the public the distribution and usage status of scientific and technological resources.

　　The management entities of science and technology resources shall publicly disclose the shared-use policies and usage status of the science and technology resources under their management, and arrange usage in accordance with these policies. Where laws and administrative regulations stipulate that certain information must be kept confidential, such provisions shall be followed.

　　The management entity of scientific and technological resources shall not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of users of such resources, and shall determine fee standards in accordance with relevant national regulations. Other rights and obligations between the management entity and the user shall be agreed upon by both parties.

　　Article 103: The State shall establish a Committee on Science and Technology Ethics, improve the institutional framework for science and technology ethics, strengthen education and research in science and technology ethics, and enhance the systems for review, assessment, and oversight.

　　Scientific and technological research and development institutions, universities, enterprises and public institutions, among others, shall fulfill their primary responsibility for managing scientific and technological ethics. They shall establish and improve scientific and technological ethics review mechanisms in accordance with relevant national regulations and conduct scientific and technological ethics reviews of scientific and technological activities.

　　Article 104: The State shall strengthen the building of scientific research integrity, establish integrity files for science and technology projects, and set up an information system for managing scientific research integrity. It shall adhere to a combination of prevention and punishment, as well as self-discipline and supervision, and improve mechanisms for the prevention, investigation, and handling of dishonest behaviors.

　　Local people's governments at or above the county level and relevant industry authorities shall adopt various measures to strengthen the building of research integrity. Enterprises, institutions, social organizations, and other entities shall assume primary responsibility for managing research integrity.

　　No organization or individual shall fabricate or falsify scientific research findings, publish or disseminate false research results, or engage in the buying, selling, ghostwriting, or proxy-submission services related to academic papers, experimental research data, and application and acceptance materials for science and technology projects.

　　Article 105: The State shall establish and improve a statistical survey system for science and technology as well as a national innovation survey system, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the basic situation of national scientific and technological activities and to monitor and evaluate the nation’s innovative capacity.

　　The state has established and improved a system for scientific and technological reporting. Undertakers of science and technology projects funded by fiscal resources shall submit reports promptly in accordance with the relevant regulations.

　　Article 106: The State shall implement a system of confidentiality for science and technology, strengthen the building of capabilities for safeguarding scientific and technological secrets, and protect scientific and technological secrets that involve national security and interests.

　　The State shall, in accordance with the law, implement a management system for the export of important scientific and technological resources such as biological germplasm resources, genetic resources, data resources, and critical core technologies.

　　Article 107: Scientific and technological research, development, and application activities that endanger national security, harm public interests, jeopardize human health, or violate scientific integrity and ethical norms in science and technology are prohibited.

　　Those engaged in scientific and technological activities shall comply with the management regulations governing such activities. Organizations and individuals that seriously violate these management regulations will be recorded in the Database of Serious Dishonesty in Scientific Research Integrity by the relevant authorities, including science and technology administrative departments.

　　Chapter Eleven: Legal Liability

　　Article 108: In violation of the provisions of this Law, if the relevant departments and their staff members responsible for science and technology administration, as well as other personnel who perform public duties in accordance with the law, abuse their powers, neglect their duties, or engage in malpractice for personal gain, the directly responsible leading officials and other persons bearing direct responsibility shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law.

　　Article 109: Any person who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, abuses his or her official authority to obstruct, restrict, or suppress scientific and technological research and development activities, or who uses his or her official position to suppress, exclude, or make things difficult for scientific and technological personnel shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law against the directly responsible principal officials and other persons bearing direct responsibility.

　　Article 110: Any violation of the provisions of this Law involving false reporting, fraudulent claims, embezzlement, misappropriation, or withholding of fiscal funds or socially donated funds earmarked for scientific and technological advancement shall be subject to corrective orders by the competent authorities, recovery of the improperly obtained fiscal funds, and demand for the return of donated funds. The violator shall also receive a warning or public criticism, and the authorities may suspend disbursements, terminate, or revoke relevant scientific and technological activities. In cases of serious violations, fines shall be imposed in accordance with the law, and the violator shall be prohibited from undertaking or participating in scientific and technological activities supported by fiscal funds for a specified period. Directly responsible officials and other persons directly liable shall be subject to administrative penalties and disciplinary actions in accordance with the law.

　　Article 111: In violation of the provisions of this Law, if a party fails to fulfill its obligation to share and make available for use large-scale scientific instruments and equipment acquired with fiscal funds and state-owned capital, the competent authorities shall order it to make corrections, issue a warning or publicly criticize it, and impose disciplinary measures on the directly responsible principal officers and other persons directly liable in accordance with law.

　　Article 112: Any scientific and technological research, development, and application activities that violate the provisions of this Law by endangering national security, harming public interests, jeopardizing human health, or contravening scientific integrity and ethical norms shall be ordered to be corrected by the unit where the scientific and technological personnel are employed or by the relevant competent authority. If such activities have received financial funds allocated for scientific and technological advancement or have generated illegal proceeds, the relevant competent authority shall terminate or revoke the corresponding scientific and technological activities, recover the financial funds, and confiscate the illegal proceeds. In cases of serious violations, the relevant competent authority shall publicly announce the illegal acts, impose administrative penalties and disciplinary measures in accordance with the law, and prohibit the violator from undertaking or participating in scientific and technological activities supported by financial funds or applying for administrative permits for related scientific and technological activities for a specified period. The directly responsible persons in charge and other persons directly liable shall also be subject to administrative penalties and disciplinary measures in accordance with the law.

　　Any violation of the provisions of this law—including fabricating or falsifying scientific research findings, publishing or disseminating false research results, or engaging in the buying and selling, ghostwriting, or proxy submission services for academic papers, experimental research data, and application and acceptance materials for science and technology projects—shall be subject to a warning or public criticism by the competent authorities, along with a fine. Any illegal gains shall be confiscated. In cases of serious violations, the relevant license or permit shall be revoked.

　　Article 113: Any violation of the provisions of this Law involving engagement in scientific and technological activities that contravene the regulatory norms for the management of such activities shall be ordered by the competent authorities to be rectified within a specified time limit. The authorities may also recover any related fiscal funds, issue a warning or public criticism, suspend disbursements of funds, terminate or revoke support for the relevant scientific and technological activities funded by fiscal resources. In cases of serious violations, the violator shall be prohibited from undertaking or participating in scientific and technological activities supported by fiscal funds for a specified period, and its qualification to manage such activities supported by fiscal funds shall be revoked for a specified period. Directly responsible supervisors and other persons directly liable shall be disciplined in accordance with the law.

　　Article 114: Any entity that violates the provisions of this Law and fraudulently obtains national science and technology awards shall have its award revoked by the competent authority in accordance with the law, and the medal, certificate, prize money, and other related items shall be recovered. The entity shall also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law.

　　Any nominating entity or individual that violates the provisions of this law by providing false data or materials, or by assisting others in fraudulently obtaining national science and technology awards, shall receive a public criticism from the competent authority. In cases of serious violations, their nomination qualification shall be suspended or revoked, and they shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law.

　　Article 115: For acts that violate the provisions of this Law but are not subject to administrative penalties under this Law, if other relevant laws or administrative regulations provide for such penalties, the provisions of those laws and regulations shall apply. If such acts cause property loss or other damages, civil liability shall be borne in accordance with the law. If such acts constitute violations of public security administration, administrative penalties for public security management shall be imposed in accordance with the law. If such acts constitute a crime, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

　　Chapter XII: Supplementary Provisions

　　Article 116: Other relevant matters concerning the advancement of science and technology in national defense shall be stipulated by the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

　　Article 117: This Law shall come into force on January 1, 2022.