People's Republic of China
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Investments for Science, Technology, and Innovation
In an era of innovation, investments in science and technology have become incredibly important. Not only do these investments benefit all, but they also work to improve the global economy and the sustainable development of nations. In the People’s Republic of China, great emphasis has been placed on these investments, especially when it comes to the education of science and technology.
The Communist ideology has always played a heavy emphasis on education and the People’s Republic of China holds this emphasis to the highest. Since 1986, China has made 9 years of basic education mandatory for all children. In February 2006, the Chinese government announced the advancement of the basic education goal by promising to provide free nine-year to all in the poorer western provinces. A little over a year later, in March 2007, China declared their choice of making education a national “strategic priority” by tripling national scholarships and giving 223.5 billion Yuan (28.65 billion USD) of extra funding to improve compulsory education in rural areas.
Such emphasis has also been placed on the education of science and technology. Li Xueyong, vice minister of science and technology, during a news conference held in the Media Center for the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China ( CPC ) in Beijing on October 16, 2007, stated “Currently, 35 million Chinese people are working in the field of science and technology, making China rank first in the world.”[1] Having a career in a field of science or technology is highly valued for being financially rewarding as well as exceptionally prestigious. Many great Chinese leaders have trained in the field of technology. Jiang Zemin and Zho Rongji were originally trained as electrical power engineers. The current president, Hu Jintao, was originally educated as a hydraulic engineer.[2]
The People’s Republic of China puts the highest emphasis on science and technology, despite being only a developing nation. China wants to see science and technology in all education curriculums around the world, seeing as it greatly benefits all economies. In this global economic slump, these science and technology fields are the world’s best bet for improvement.
[1] http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/17/content_6896798.htm
[2] http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2007/10/2008525172536374792.html
