The competition entries for the 2003 National Sci-tech Awards concluded at the end of last year. The National Sci-tech Awards Office received a total of 696 programs recommended by scientific research departments from all over the country. Among them, 685 qualified after primary examination. Of these programs, 121 compete for the National Natural Science Awards, 47 for National Technological Invention Awards and 517 for National Sci-tech Advance Awards. All will be open for public review over a period of one month from April 8. Everybody can visit the website of the National Sci-tech Awards at www.nosta.gov.cn to voice their opinions.

In order to guarantee the objectivity of their appraisal, everybody who gives an opinion is required to leave their real names for further investigation and verification. "We will of course protect those who voice their disagreement," said a person in charge at the National Sci-tech Award Office.

Generally speaking, disagreement with decisions can be divided into two categories: essential disagreements and non-essential disagreements. The disagreements concerning content or data mistakes, or plagiarism, belong to essential disagreements. The dispute concerning things such as signatures belong to non-essential disagreements. The National Sci-tech Award Office will spend two months investigating and handling the programs with disagreement.

According to the Regulation of National Sci-tech Awards, the awarded programs, personnel and organizations of the three awards must accept public supervision.

During a trial operation last year, the number of programs with disagreements doubled after a public review. Insiders believe that the increase in program numbers with disagreements is not a bad thing. The three awards will be more valuable after public appraisal and selection.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian April 10, 2003)