China has issued an administrative regulation on standardizing appraisals for government-sponsored scientific and technological projects said Shi Dinghuan, a senior official with the Ministry of Science and Technology, noting that the regulation was the first of its kind in China, and was expected to encourage innovation and commercialization of research achievements.

The ministry has stipulated that appraisal teams consist of specialists from research bodies, universities and even companies. In some frontier areas in which consensus has yet to be reached among home scientists, the regulation says overseas scientists are also qualified to be enlisted into the talent pool. Shi went on to say that strict appraisals were required for key national and local scientific and technological programs before, during and after implementation. "Effective appraisal for projects using public money will help create transparency of budget planning and governmental administration," he said.