"The government should respect the law of scientific research, build a good research environment, and remove complicated research evaluation for scientists," Premier Li Keqiang said at the State Council executive meeting on Dec 18.

To deepen the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, improve the award system for scientific research, and stimulate social innovation, those at the meeting passed the draft revision to the Regulation on National Awards for Science and Technology.

Despite breakthroughs in a number of fields, Premier Li noted, China still needs to make more progress in natural science. The excessive awards for different regions and departments cost a lot of time and energy for scientists in terms of tons of forms and evaluations, wasting precious human resources.

He asked governments and departments at all levels to streamline awards and cut the evaluation burden to liberate scientists and build a pragmatic research ecosystem.