The number of postdoctorate people involved in study and research programs in China may reach between 12,000 and 15,000 by 2005, an official with the Ministry of Personnel (MOP) said recently.

Xu Songtao, vice-minister of the MOP, made this prediction while attending the opening ceremony of seven newly approved postdoctoral research centers in central China's Henan Province.

So far, at least 140 research centers have been established in China where some 7,000 postdoctoral workers are pursuing academic studies in 12 disciplines.

According to Xu, China planned to raise in the next five years and more a large batch of talents who could rise to global academic competition.

Established in 1985, China's postdoctoral system has witnessed constant reform and turned into an important channel for the incubation of high-level talents.

In 1995, China began to establish postdoctoral centers in financially sound and technically advanced enterprises to accelerate technical innovation and the utilization of scientific achievements.

( April 16, 2002)