China reassures scientists not to fear failure
Reuters: China will tolerate experiment failures by its scientists to ease pressure, encourage innovation and cut the chances of fraud, a top official said on Thursday.
Worried about being left behind in global technological advances, China has launched a campaign to pour more resources into scientific research to boost "home-grown innovation".
Several high-profile cases of cheating in state-paid research programs have shocked the country in recent years, tarnishing the image of a sector already plagued by scandals of plagiarism and corruption.
Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang blamed the fraud cases partly on mounting pressure to succeed in a "high-risk" area that cannot guarantee 100 percent positive results.
