China's top scientists will see their monthly government allowance increase from 200 yuan (about 29 U.S. dollars) per capita to 1,000 yuan in the coming year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

China has more than 700 researchers in the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and about 700 in the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), with some holding dual titles.

The monthly government stipend granted to the experts who have made outstanding contribution to the country will also rise from 100 yuan per capita to 600 yuan.

The Chinese central government began the subsidiary fund in 1990. About 150,000 experts have received the government allowance, said Wu Jiang, head of the Chinese Academy of Personnel Science.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2008)