[China Science Journal] How to fill the ＂short board＂ of basic research？

　　Self-reliance of science and technology is the strategic support of national development, and basic research is the cornerstone of self-reliance of science and technology.
　　For the scientific and technological circles in China, the ability and output of basic research are still short-board. In order to fill this short board, the 14th Five-Year Plan proposes to "strengthen basic research and pay attention to original innovation", "encourage enterprises to increase investment in research and development, and implement tax incentives for enterprises to invest in basic research", "support the development of high-level research universities and strengthen the training of basic research talents".
　　So, how to strengthen China’s basic research ability and enhance its innovation strategy ability? China Journal of Science interviewed representatives from scientific research institutes, universities and enterprises.
　　Scientific research institutes: the advantages are obvious. Relaxation must be moderate.
　　Scientific research institutes are the main body of original innovation work, and Chinese Academy of Sciences is the main position of basic research.
　　"Scientific research institutes in China include institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences and research institutes of various ministries and commissions. Research institutes of ministries and commissions pay more attention to application and are closely integrated with industry; The Chinese Academy of Sciences has both pure basic disciplines and research oriented to application and meeting the major strategic needs of the country. The number of researchers is large, and the disciplines are relatively comprehensive, which is convenient for interdisciplinary research. These are the advantages of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in carrying out basic research. " In an interview with the China Science Journal, Zhou Zhonghe, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a researcher at the Institute of vertebrate paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said.
　　As the saying goes, "everything depends on human effort", to stimulate the innovation strength of basic research in scientific research institutes, we must first stimulate the innovation enthusiasm of scientific research personnel. At the same time, Zhou Zhonghe, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that the policy guidance for basic research at the national level is an encouragement to young people, but the policy support should not be too utilitarian. The stable funds, the support of platform equipment, infrastructure construction and the living conditions of young talents will all affect the enthusiasm of basic researchers.
　　He suggested that the original innovation of "from 0 to 1" needs to have a foundation, support and atmosphere, and the problems of "release" and "management" should be handled well; Scientific decision-making needs to deal with the issues of democracy and centralization, and major scientific research projects should be decided by real scientists; In addition, it is necessary for the whole society to unite scientific consensus, improve scientific quality, and make leading cadres and scientific managers truly realize the importance of basic research.
　　Science and technology enterprises: not eager for quick success and quick success, implementing good policies
　　In recent years, the issue of how scientists escape from enterprises and how academics and businesses are compatible has been continuously concerned by public opinion. Shen Zhiqiang, deputy to the National People’s Congress and chairman of Shandong Ludu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., has a clear understanding of the responsibilities and present situation of enterprises in basic research.
　　"Universities and enterprises are very different in the starting point and foothold of basic research. Colleges and universities are scientific problem-oriented and answer the question of ‘(Why’, while enterprises are technical problem-oriented and goal-oriented and answer the question of ‘(How’. " Shen Zhiqiang said.
　　He said, taking gene editing technology as an example, the basic research in colleges and universities will study why gene editing technology can realize large-scale editing and transformation of genome with high efficiency and low miss rate, while the basic research and development in enterprises will study how to realize large-scale editing and transformation of genome with high efficiency and low miss rate, and use technology to create new cells, new vaccines, new products, etc., improve the efficacy of existing products, and promote innovative development in the fields of biological manufacturing and disease diagnosis and treatment.
　　Shen Zhiqiang said that they have established Industry-University-Research strategic partnership with more than 100 universities and research institutes at home and abroad to speed up R&D and innovation and enhance the original innovation capability.
　　Regarding "encouraging enterprises to increase investment in R&D and implementing tax incentives for enterprises to invest in basic research", he said that these policies will help mobilize the original innovation enthusiasm of enterprises.
　　"It is difficult to see results without determination in basic research." Shen Zhiqiang suggested that in the process of policy implementation, local party committees and governments at all levels should solve the worries of scientific and technological personnel engaged in basic research, give special rewards to scientific and technological personnel who have made breakthrough contributions, and give special rewards to the principal responsible persons of enterprises, and put the policy of supporting basic research in place.
　　Research University: Building a Platform to Look at the Starry Sky
　　Shen Manhong, a deputy to the National People’s Congress who has worked in Hangzhou University, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and Ningbo University, is now the party secretary of Zhejiang A&F University. His working experience in many universities has made him see the advantages and possibilities of universities in basic research.
　　"Colleges and universities undertake basic functions such as personnel training, scientific research, social services, cultural inheritance and innovation. Compared with enterprises, colleges and universities are more likely to look up at the stars and do basic research in pure science or theory. Compared with scientific research institutes, scientific research in colleges and universities can achieve the organic combination of’ scientific research and educating people’ and’ educating people and scientific research’.’ Scientific research and educating people’ means cultivating talents, especially high-level talents such as masters and doctors, and’ educating people and scientific research’ means constantly discovering, proposing and exploring scientific problems in the process of cultivating talents, so that basic research can continue. " Shen Manhong said.
　　He said that to strengthen basic research in colleges and universities, first, we should create a discipline platform for basic research by supporting the discipline construction and degree program construction of basic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, literature, history and philosophy; Second, teachers and doctoral students should be encouraged to open up new research fields through the establishment of interdisciplinary funds; Third, we should concentrate on building scientific research platforms to support basic research, such as setting up mathematical research centers and nano-research institutes, gathering innovative talents and promoting major research in basic research.
　　Shen Manhong fully recognizes the current incentive policy for basic research, and he also said that there is still room for further optimization of the policy. "First, based on the basic position of disciplines, give priority to ensuring the construction of basic disciplines; Second, based on the public goods attribute of basic research, strengthen the establishment of national foundation for basic research; The third is to promote the reform of classification evaluation of scientific research based on the differences between disciplines and scientific research. " Shen Manhong said.
　　(Originally published in China Science Journal, 1st edition, March 5, 2021)