All districts' people's governments, the commissions, offices, bureaus and agencies of Beijing municipal government,

The Policies and Measures for Deepening the Reform of the Science and Technology System in the New Era and Accelerating the Construction of the National Science and Technology Innovation Center are hereby issued to you. Please implement it in view of your actual situation.

Beijing Municipal People's Government

October 16, 2019

The Policies and Measures for Deepening the Reform of the Science and Technology System in the New Era and Accelerating the Construction of the National Science and Technology Innovation Center

This document is formulated in order to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the spirits of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and the important remarks and instructions from General Secretary Xi Jinping during his two inspections in Beijing Municipality, as well as to stick to a global vision, expand opening up, be more resolute in driving technological innovation through institutional innovation, and provide strong support for China's development towards a world scientific and technological power and Beijing's construction of a scientific and technological innovation center with global influence.

I. Strengthen the Overall Planning of Scientific and Technological Innovation

1. Undertake Major National Scientific and Technological Tasks

With our sight set on the world's cutting edge of science and technology, the main economic battlegrounds, and the country's major needs, we will adopt a forward-thinking approach in planning and layout for basic research, basic research for application and international frontier technology research, accelerate the achievement of major breakthroughs in strategic areas that the country urgently needs, and build a world-renowned science center. We will improve supporting infrastructure and public services, and make all efforts to ensure the layout of the national laboratories in Beijing. We will establish a scientific research fund and accelerate the construction of Beijing Huairou National Comprehensive Science Centre. We will actively undertake the construction of major national science and technology infrastructure and national science and technology innovation base, continue to align with National Scientific and Technological Innovation 2030-major projects and key R&D plans, and promote the landing of more major projects in Beijing. We will strengthen the consultation between the ministries and Beijing Municipality, the coordination between the districts and the municipal government, give priority to guaranteeing the basic conditions such as land and space needed for the construction of major scientific and technological projects. We will support new types of research and development institutions, universities, research institutions, leading sci-tech enterprises to make breakthroughs in keys in "neck blocking" technology, and promote strategic cooperation and joint efforts across the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain to create new competitive advantages.

2. Improve the Coordination System for the Construction of the Scientific and Technological Innovation Center

We will give full play to the coordinating role of the Beijing Office for Promoting the Construction of the Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, and establish a joint working mechanism with the Inter-ministerial Coordination Group of Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Park, in order to coordinate and push forward the formulation of the strategic planning, the layout of key tasks, the pilot reform and other important cross-level and cross-disciplinary issues in the construction of the Center. We will establish the city-level leading coordination mechanism, to promote the construction of the Center, strengthen important policy coordination, and focus on the implementation of key tasks.

3. Innovate Institutional Mechanisms of the "Three Cities, One Area"

Based on the functional positioning and development characteristics of Zhongguancun Science City, Huairou Science City, Future Science City and Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area ("Three Cities and One Area"), and the principle of unification of rights, responsibilities and interests, we will empower and delegate the power of review and approval by "Three Cities and One Area" and by steps in accordance with the law. We will extend the commitment system of enterprise investment projects piloted in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area to the Three Cities. We will establish and improve the statistical monitoring system for these areas, encourage these areas to innovate in the selection and employment mechanisms and personnel management, support the introduction of specialized, market-oriented and internationalized third-party service agencies through the government's purchase of services, and provide professional services for the introduction of high-level talents, the application of major scientific and technological achievements and the landing of industrial projects.

4. Increase Investment in Scientific and Technological Innovation

We will further increase financial support in science and technology at the municipal and district level, increase steady financial support for basic research, and see that policies such as weighted deduction of R&D costs are fully implemented. We will adopt government guidance and tax leverage to encourage enterprises and social organizations to increase investment in basic research by jointly building new types of R&D institutions, joint funding, public donations, etc. We will promote the establishment of a new mechanism for co-financing and co-organizing major national basic research tasks with the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

5. Improve Consultative Mechanism for Scientific and Technological Innovation

We will establish the municipal Scientific and Technological Innovation Decision-making Advisory Committee, composed of high-level experts in the fields of science and technology, industry and investment, to provide decision-making consultation on major strategic planning and reform policy formulation, scientific and technological infrastructure and the layout of scientific research projects. We will make innovations in the mechanism for aligning government with enterprises on a regular basis, and fully solicit the opinions of industry organizations and enterprises in formulating major plans and carrying out major research projects. We will guide high-end think tanks and international consulting institutions in the capital to participate in the consultation on scientific and technological innovation decisions through government procurement of services.

II. Deepen Reform of Institutional Mechanisms for Talents

6. Optimize the Talent Training and Evaluation Mechanism

We will encourage higher education institutions to set up new disciplines in the fields of artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, cloud computing, translational medicine and precision medicine, and to improve the cultivation of high-skilled personnel and professional management personnel in the high-end, high-precision and sophisticated industries. We will strengthen the cultivation of outstanding young scientific and technological talents by expanding the scope and support of funding for the Beijing Natural Science Foundation and postdoctoral programs. We will improve the evaluation criteria for talents according to the characteristics of different types of scientific research activities, innovate ways of evaluating titles and building an evaluation system based on representative achievements, which include project results, research reports, monographs and translations, engineering programs, technical standards and specifications. We will promote the reform of the evaluation mechanism for medical and health institutions and medical and scientific personnel, and incorporate clinical trials and the translation of scientific and technological achievements into their performance evaluation system. We will delegate power to institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions and high-level medical and health institutions to independently review their professional titles. We will unblock the career development channels for technology transfer and transformation talents, and carry out the evaluation of professional titles such as technology brokerage.

7. Innovate Mechanisms for the Establishment and Remuneration Management

Based on the principle of "dynamic adjustment and overall planning", we will promote the allocation and coordinated use of the establishment of the scientific research institutions, and further expand their autonomy in selecting and employing employees within the approved establishment. For high-level talents in municipal higher education institutions, scientific research institutions, medical and health institutions, and other institutions who are eligible to bear major strategic tasks on a full-time basis, flexible and diverse forms of distribution, such as the annual salary system, the negotiated wage system and the project salary system, will be allowed, and the required expenses are not subject to the total amount of wages and performance pay of the employers.

8. Improve the Convenience for Researchers to Go Abroad on Business and Visit

We will optimize the examination, approval, and filing procedures for researchers to go abroad on official business, and reduce the time for examination and approval, so as to appropriately extend the validity period of the approval documents. We will open up an integrated service channel for the examination and approval of passports and visas for the international academic exchanges of strategic scientific and technological talents and their core teams. For scientific research personnel (including those shouldering both research and administration duties) going abroad for academic exchange and cooperation tasks, the numbers or batches of units and individuals going abroad, the number of group members, the number of days staying abroad can be adjusted according to actual needs. The standards for the living expenses and other subsidies for foreign experts employed to work in Beijing for a short period of time may be considered and determined by the units at or above the bureau level in accordance with relevant regulations.

9. Optimize Foreign Talents Introduction and Service Guarantees

We will further improve the income policy for overseas high-level talents. Qualified high-level foreign talents and talents in urgent need can be granted foreign talents (category A) work permits and work residence permits within seven working days respectively. High-level foreign talents who have obtained permanent residency in China, reached the statutory retirement age, contributed to pension insurance for less than 15 years may extend their payment period up to 15 years, and enjoy pension treatment according to the regulations. If foreign talents introduced are not eligible for enjoying social insurance benefits, higher education institutions, research institutions at the municipal-bureau-level and above are allowed to purchase commercial pension insurance and commercial medical insurance for them during their terms of office. We will improve working mechanism, and actively provide services such as children enrollment for introduced high-level talents. We will establish a one-stop service platform for foreign talents in areas such as the "Three Cities and One Area". We will promote the reform measures on the exit and entry administration of foreign talents in Chaoyang and Shunyi pilot and demonstration areas for expanding the opening up of the service sector to the whole city.

III. Build a High-end, High-precision and Sophisticated Economic Structure

10. Promote the Development of Key Industries

We will see that the "10+3" policy for high-end, high-precision, and sophisticated industries are enforced efficiently, establish a green channel for approval, and improve the efficiency of the implementation of industrial projects We will introduce a flexible system of leasing land for industrial use and an annual system of renting land for flexible periods and controlling the cost of land for high-end, high-precision, and sophisticated industries. We will allow rural collective management land registered in accordance with the law to be used for the construction of facilities for science and technology incubation, transformation of scientific and technological achievements and industrial landing space, under the premise of conforming to the plan and the control of the use. We will actively promote the construction of standard plants in Daxing, Fangshan, Shunyi, Changping, Tongzhou districts and in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, creating favorable conditions for the development of intelligent manufacturing, medicine and health and other high-end, high-precision, and sophisticated industries.

11. Improve Market Access Facilitation for Key Industries

We will innovate regulatory mechanisms that are appropriate for the development of new technologies, new products, new forms of business and new models, and exercise inclusive and prudent oversight over emerging technologies and industries that are still in the R&D stage, lack mature standards or are not yet fully adapted to the existing regulatory system. We will actively apply for the construction of Beijing Medical Device Service Station and the Human Genetic Resources Administrative Examination and Approval Service Station, and carry out international multi-center clinical trials and other pilot projects. We will promote the demonstration, application and promotion of innovative technologies, products and services such as "artificial intelligence + cloud + health" in the field of health and wellness. We will build a public database, inspection and testing standards and service platform for the development of the artificial intelligence industry, support the open source and opening of generic software and technology platforms, and accelerate the improvement of the service system for industrial applications. We will establish an industrial classification management system, focusing on supporting the R&Dof high value-added, environmentally friendly high-end products.

12. Strengthen Institutional Support for the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements

We will push forward the legislation of the Regulations on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in Beijing, allowing to ownership or long-term use of scientific and technological achievements of science and technology staff, clarify the right of the accomplishers to independently implement the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and simplify procedures for the management of assets related to the transformation. We will make clear the requirements for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in applied projects set up with financial funds, standardize the ways and conditions for scientific and technological personnel holding leading positions to be rewarded and remunerated, and establish a system of diligence and responsibility in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

13. Reform the Management Mechanism for the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements

We will establish an asset management system adapting to the characteristics of technical intangible assets and differentiate the management for state-owned technical intangible assets and other types of state-owned assets. We will allow universities, scientific research institutions at municipal-bureau-level and above, and high-level medical and health institutions to entrust state-owned asset management companies to carry out overall research achievements transformation activities on their behalf. Scientific and technical personnel holding leading positions in such institutions and the their affiliated units with legal person status who are the major accomplishers of scientific and technological achievements or who have made important contributions to the transformation, may be rewarded and remunerated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the country, and a system of public disclosure should be implemented.

IV. Deepen the Reform of Scientific Research Management

14. Improve the Overall Layout of Science and Technology Programs (Special Projects, Funds, etc.)

We will accelerate the establishment of a municipal financial fund pooling mechanism covering the whole process of scientific and technological innovation, and strengthen the optimization and integration of municipal scientific and technological programs (Special Projects, Funds, etc.) related to scientific research. We will establish a system of joint meetings for the management of science and technology plans (Special Projects, Funds, etc.), and provide overall guidance to the establishment, implementation plan, budget estimate, management level and mode for all such projects of the city. We will align the layout of major national scientific and technological tasks, establish a follow-up support mechanism, and promote the transformation of the scientific and technological achievements in Beijing.

15. Improve the Management Mechanism for Scientific Research Projects

We will simplify the procedures and materials needed for the application of scientific research projects, implement the online submission of project materials and the system of "one-time submission of materials ", strengthen the openness and sharing of project management information, and achieve the multiple use of one form. We will implement a "milestone" management mode for key links, and reduce all kinds of assessment, inspection, spot check, audit and other activities in the implementation of scientific research projects; we will exempt from the process inspection, in general, for the projects with an implementation cycle of less than 3 years. We will carry out classified evaluation on the performance of scientific research projects and introduce international evaluation according to the needs We will establish a mechanism for relevant departments to share responsibilities for institutions of higher learning and scientific research institutions, and exempt those units and project leaders who have fulfilled their duty of diligence and responsibility in the free exploration and disruptive technological innovation activities, but fail to achieve the target due to the wrong choice of technological route. We will strengthen the development of scientific research integrity and create a favorable academic atmosphere.

16. Grant More Autonomy to the Use of Funds for Scientific Research Projects

Under the condition that the total budget of the financial scientific research project remains unchanged, the use and adjustment of other subjects will be delegated to the project undertaking unit, except that the equipment cost and the indirect cost will not be increased in principle ; if the equipment cost need to be increased, it shall be approved by the undertaking unit according to the facts, and the record shall be filed with the competent department of the project upon acceptance (conclusion). The horizontal project funding management measures formulated by higher learning, scientific research institutions and medical and health institutions in accordance with the laws and regulations may serve as the basis for evaluation, inspection and audit.

17. Increase Incentives for the Scientific Research Projects Funding

We will select the scientific research projects with low dependence on experimental equipment funded by the municipal financial support as the pilot projects, in which the approved proportion of indirect expenses shall not exceed 30 per cent of the direct expenses deducted from the equipment expenses, and the approved proportion of the indirect expenses of mathematical and physical scientific research projects in the basic research field shall not exceed 60% of the direct expenses deducted from the equipment expenses. The performance expenditures in indirect expenses are not limited by proportion, and are included in the approved proportion of the indirect expenses of mathematical and physical scientific research projects in the basic research field shall not exceed 60% of the direct expenses deducted from the equipment expenses.

18.Carry out "All-in-Expenses" Pilot for Scientific Research Projects

In the field of basic research, we will select some institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions, and medical and health institutions with remarkable scientific research results and good scientific research credit, to carry out the pilot project of the All-in-Expenses system for municipal financial scientific research projects. The project leader can independently decide to use the project funds according to the actual needs of scientific research activities, and there is no restriction on the proportion of subjects. We will implement negative list management on the use of funds for All-in-Expenses scientific research projects.

19. Improve Monitoring and Inspection Mechanisms for Scientific and Technological Innovation

We should respect the laws of scientific research in auditing and financial inspection of scientific research projects and activities, and establish mechanisms for information sharing, results sharing, and accountability for problem rectification. If an administrative institution at or above the bureau level has an internal audit institution, the audit report of the scientific research project issued by it may serve as the basis for acceptance after it is put on record. In the audit of scientific research projects, audit institutions shall make effective use of the internal audit strength and achievements, and the problems discovered and corrected by the internal audit will no longer be reflected in the audit report. In their auditing work, audit institutions should be objective and realistic, fully respect the characteristics of instantaneous inspiration, haphazard methods and uncertain paths of scientific research, reflect problems realistically, and make audit treatment and Suggestions objectively and prudently.

20. Relax the Regulations on Purchasing Scientific Research Instruments and Equipment

We will simplify the procurement process of scientific research instruments and equipment; For equipment and consumables urgently needed, we will adopt the procurement mechanism of special methods for special cases and on-going handling upon request, and shorten the procurement cycle by cutting the bidding process; For the sole agent or the production of equipment, according to the procedure to determine the use of a single source of procurement and other ways to enhance the flexibility and convenience of procurement, we will simplify the examination and approval process of changing the way of government procurement for scientific research instruments and equipment. For instruments and equipment that meet the functional requirements and technical parameter standards, a centralized application may be made at one time, which shall be reported to the municipal financial department by the competent budget unit after collection.

21. Encourage System Innovation in Research Institutions

We will deepen the system reform of scientific research institutions, encourage scientific research institutions to formulate regulations, improve their internal governance structures and establish efficient operating mechanisms. The competent authorities shall not interfere in the affairs in which the scientific research institutions are given administrative authority by the articles of association. We will support the construction of a number of world-class new R&D institutions, grant them autonomy in hiring personnel, reviewing professional titles, using funds, and managing operations, and implement a negative list of government funds for science and technology. We will encourage new type of R&D institutions to train graduate students jointly with institutions of higher learning.

V. Optimize Ecosystem for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

22. Improve the Incentive Mechanism for Innovation in Technology-based SOEs

We will expand the scope of employee ownership in of municipal technology-based SOEs to stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity of core technical personnel. We will encourage these enterprises to introduce market-oriented, specialized and innovative service institutions into their operations and management, and promote the transformation and development of existing industrial space. We will support enterprises directly under the central government in establishing R&D centers with independent legal personality in Beijing and encourage market-oriented reform.

23. Improve Service Mechanisms for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We will support the rational flow of technology-based enterprises in line with the strategic positioning of the capital city among districts according to market demand and operational needs, move forward with the integration of the industrial and commercial registration, tax registration, and the relocation of the enterprises. The municipal competent departments of market supervision, taxation and industry may directly handle the relevant registration and filing procedures for the enterprises. We will improve the system of high-tech enterprise incubator and strengthen the service and support for the enterprises within the incubator. We will improve the service mechanism of "one enterprise, one policy" for scientific and technological enterprises, and implement the cultivation plan for world-class leading enterprises. We support the construction of public scientific and technological service platforms such as technology research and development, proof of concept, industrial design, test and inspection, pilot trial and pilot production, and provide specialized services for small and medium-sized enterprises. We will strengthen the construction of specialized incubators in life science, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, 5G and other fields, and carry out in-depth incubation of projects. We will give play to the guiding role of Beijing science and technology innovation fund, explore the establishment of incubation relay fund, specially invest in the incubator's own funds to exit the investment of quality projects.

24. Strengthen the Creation, Protection and Application of Intellectual Property

We will strengthen the protection of intellectual property, increase punitive damages and raise the cost of infringement. We will give full play to the role of China (Beijing) Intellectual Property Protection Center and China (Zhongguancun) Intellectual Property Protection Center, and establish a rapid and coordinated intellectual property protection mechanism for the new-generation technologies in the field of information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and health, new materials, etc. We will strongly support technology-based enterprises in their overseas intellectual property layout and technology mergers and acquisitions. We will improve the overseas intellectual property protection and assistance mechanism for enterprises, and support service agencies in carrying out services including intellectual property investigation, early warning and formulation of response strategies in target markets. We will increase the funding for invention patents and overseas intellectual property acquisition in high-end, high-precision and sophisticated industries. We will give better play to the guiding role of the Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Fund, support the establishment of sub-funds for the cultivation, purchase, storage and investment of high-value patents and the establishment of patent pools in key areas.

25. Carry out Overall Planning to Promote Application Scenario Construction

We will focus on artificial intelligence, 5G, blockchain, big data, cloud computing, Beidou navigation and location services, life sciences, frontier materials, new energy, robotics and other key areas to build application scenarios. We will establish a joint meeting system for coordinating application scenario construction at the municipal level, improve the mechanism of pre-consultation and evaluation and supply and demand collaboration, regularly release a list of application scenario projects, and build a number of application scenario demonstration zones (or pilot zones). For innovative results of market-tested application scenarios, including the first (set) of major technical equipment, we will give support by the way of first purchase or ordering.

26. Improve Financial Services for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We will give full play to the role of government guidance funds to attract private capital to invest in original innovation, transformation of achievements, and high-end, high-precision and sophisticated industries, and form a fund system covering seed stage investment, angel investment, venture investment, and merger and acquisition funds. For the guidance fund of investing in the early "hard technology", we will establish a green channel of sub-fund registration to guide more well-known and excellent investment institutions to conduct business in Beijing. We will pilot a differentiated risk compensation mechanism for bank credit operations in view of the credit status and development stage of technology-based enterprises. We will use risk compensation, loan interest discount and other means to enhance the first financing success rate of technology-based enterprises. We will build a unified credit data support platform for science and technology enterprise and a comprehensive credit evaluation system, relying on the municipal enterprise credit information publicity system, as well as integrate relevant business operation and external financing data to open to financial institutions We will explore the establishment of specialized science and technology insurance institutions, promote the improvement of the intellectual property insurance system, and, in accordance with the principles of government guidance and market leadership, establish a mechanism for compensating risks and subsidizing premiums for intellectual property insurance with financial support. We will support technology leasing companies in developing innovative businesses such as "leasing + investment" and "leasing + factoring".

27. Improve the Facilitation of Customs Clearance under the Conditions of Scientific Research

We will simplify the customs clearance procedures for importing samples required for clinical trials of innovative new drugs in the city, allowing the issuance of approvals on the basis of clinical trials (projects) or annual basis, with each import for one filing. For the non-mandatory R&D test vehicles temporarily imported by eligible technology-based enterprises, the temporary import period is allowed to be extended to up to 2 years according to testing needs.

28. Deepen Collocative Innovation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region

We will give full play to the policies of the National Innovation Demonstration Zone, the Free Trade Pilot Zone, the Beijing Service Industry Expansion and Opening-up Comprehensive Pilot, the National High-tech Industrial Development Zones and the National Economic and Technological Development Zones, and further enhance policy interaction and promote collaborative innovation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region. We will strengthen cooperation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei science and technology program and support various types of innovation entities in carrying out cross-regional innovation activities. We will promote the mutual recognition of qualifications of high-tech enterprises in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. We will promote the sharing of instruments and equipment, scientific and technological achievements and information resources relying on such public service platforms as the Capital Scientific and Technological Conditions Platform. We will improve the mechanism for the use of science and technology innovation vouchers and promote mutual recognition of these vouchers in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. We will build a collaborative network for clinical trials in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, and actively promote the mutual recognition of the results of ethical reviews of biomedical research involving human beings in the region. We will deepen the pilot medical device registrant system, allow the medical device registrants in the city to entrust enterprises in the Tianjin-Hebei region to produce medical devices and jointly build a medical and health industrial base. production to enterprises in the Tianjin and Hebei, and jointly build a medical health industry base. We will implement the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Smart Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Plan to upgrade the region's industries.

29. Deepening Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao

We will improve the mechanism for scientific and technological cooperation between Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao, and promote the flow of talents, technology, capital, information and other elements of innovation. We will strengthen the exchange and cooperation of talents with Hong Kong and Macao by establishing a communication and exchange platform for young scientists, encouraging scientists from Hong Kong and Macao to participate in activities such as the Beijing International Academic Exchange Season, and support the joint R&D and transformation of results by the innovation entities of three areas. We will strengthen cooperation with institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, give full play to the financial advantages of Hong Kong and Macao, and link up with international high-end innovation resources through the Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Fund.

30. Further Enhance the Opening-up and Cooperation

We will make dedicated efforts to ensure the success of the Zhongguancun Forum, and build it into a comprehensive platform with international influence, integrating scientific and technological exchanges, as well as the demonstration, release and trading of achievements. We will actively collaborate with major international science projects and promote the opening and sharing of major scientific and technological infrastructure to the world. We will support institutions of higher learning, research institutes and enterprises in setting up offshore science and technology incubators in areas with high concentration of international innovative talents and along the "the Belt And Road" countries and regions, and build a number of high-level joint laboratories and R&D centers with overseas institutions. We will actively seek international science and technology organization, alliance or its branch office to settle in Beijing. We will support the development of R&D centers of multinational companies in Beijing, and give the same policy support to the regional headquarters of multinational companies for the global R&D centers with foreign capital and the R&D centers with independent legal personality.