China has recently established a special committee to oversee fraud and intellectual property theft in science following a series of scientific fraud scandals that have emerged in the country over the past few months.
This committee will provide guiding principles for universities and colleges to prevent scientific fraud and outline penalties for violators. According to Chairman Zhang Qizhi, the committee will also draw on experiences from other countries in combating scientific fraud.
“The main function of this committee is as an advisory organization, directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Social Affairs“, said Yuan Zhenguo, Deputy Minister of Science and Social Affairs.
In general, this committee will not handle specific cases; instead, it will focus on preventing scientific scandals by reviewing, listening to public opinion, and managing the establishment of oversight organizations in universities across the country.
Yuan stated that all 30 key members of the committee will work part-time.
Recent scandals at top universities in China have raised questions about scientific oversight at these institutions.
In early May, Chen Tian, a leading Chinese scientist, shocked the scientific community of the world’s most populous nation when it was discovered that he had falsified the invention of a computer chip labeled as “made in China” (Hanxin microchip).
Previously, at the end of April, Yang Jie, former director of the Institute of Life Science and Technology, was also dismissed after the integrity of his scientific reports was called into question…
Last week, Education Minister Zhou Ji warned researchers at schools to adhere to ethical principles, or they would face “disciplinary action.” Zhou also urged all colleges and universities to manage cases of fraud or intellectual property theft in science and conduct investigations appropriately.
TUONG VY
