Summary

In July 2018, China's Ministry of Education issued a notice related to the "Everest Plan" for fundamental research at Chinese universities. The plan aims to "significantly improve" the level of basic scientific and technological research by 2020, to establish international academic leadership in "some key areas" by 2035, and to lead the world's academic development in a number of new and important fields by the middle of the century.

The plan sets out five main policy measures to achieve these goals:

• Comprehensive advancement, through establishing a national Higher Education Basic Research Strategy Advisory Expert Committee to promote the development of basic research in higher education; constructing more scientific research infrastructure such as national key laboratories; encouraging curiosity-driven basic research driven by both HEIs and individual researchers' interests; and strengthening research teams through bringing together leading talents and supporting young and upcoming researchers.

• Building a strong foundation, through strengthening the development of both basic and applied disciplines, particularly key fields such as mathematics and physics; building stronger connections between basic and applied work; and promoting interdisciplinary work

• Optimising the environment, through improving evaluation and assessment mechanisms with a stronger focus on long-term value and original contributions; increasing support for leading talents; and improving logistical support for researchers

• Guaranteeing investment, through including research and scientific infrastructure in universities' development plans and including this as a major factor in HEIs' decision-making systems; coordinating resources from different sources; supporting universities' institutional reforms; and increasing cooperation between the Ministry of Education and provincial-level authorities

• Strengthening openness and internationalisation, through encouraging top international scholars to work in China and establishing systems for visiting international scholars; working with top institutions and individuals worldwide; and taking a leading role in organising international scientific projects

In August the Ministry of Education also worked with the Ministry of Finance and National Development and Reform Commission to publish a circular reiterating the goals for the country's World Class Universities project. The broad aims seem to have changed little from previous announcements, still aiming to develop education quality and research ability at China's top universities.

Analysis by Kevin Prest, Senior Analyst, British Council International Education Services

These goals are another example of China’s aim to become a dominant player in terms of scientific research. International cooperation is an important part of this development, and there will likely be strong opportunities to work with Chinese researchers and institutions on a range of different research topics. The Everest Plan is likely to also provide new sources of funding for Chinese universities’ research infrastructure, although details have not been announced.

Sources

1. Ministry of Education: Notice on the Everest Plan for basic research in higher education institutions (in Chinese): http://www.moe.edu.cn/srcsite/A16/moe_784/201808/t20180801_344021.html

2. Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and National Development and Reform Commission: Guidance on accelerating the construction of world-class universities (in Chinese): http://www.mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/caizhengxinwen/201808/t20180827_2997925.htm