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Mr. Song did not deny that a considerable number of overseas trained specialists were reluctant to return to China, because there is no guarantee that they will be able to make use of the knowledge gained abroad and because the material circumstances in China differ greatly from those abroad. Last year the State Council allocated funds for the establishment. of a number of post-graduate stations, providing housing facilities for oversees-trained personnel and their families, as well as better research faci- lities. Song Jian stressed the fact that special and sufficient facilities will remain the exception for rather a long time ahead. He expressed the hope that most people would eventually return to China to serve the motherland, but said that China's policy is to leave each individual free in his decision as to where to make a living.
The National Natural Science Foundation is to be set up in the near future'. Although this Foundation in the beginning will rely heavily on government funding, it is expected that other units and indivi- duals will also contribute so that, over time, the percentage of funds from government appropriations will decrease.
Aim of the Foundation is to further basic and applied research, and to ensure that funds granted are used to the greatest advantage. So far, already 10.000 applications for funding of specific projects from units and groups of scientists have reached the Foundation. These applications will be assessed through a system of peergroup review. An Advisory Committee will be set up, and scientists from abroad will be invited to take part 'in order to learn from their experience and to avoid bias'.
As of this year, the SSTC will annually publish a 'blue print', outlining the goals set for SSTC for the coming year, as well as a White Paper, summarising the accomplishments in S&T in the past, as well as the present situation. These publications are to be circulated widely, so as to promote openness and render a general debate on S&T policy possible.
China's nuclear energy programme is not very ambitious, the initial goal being a production of 300 to 900 megawatt. Because China has large reserves of conven- tional energy resources, the production of nuclear energy is not one of China's immediate priorities. However, due to the uneven distribution in China of coal and water resources combined with the problem of transportation, further development of nuclear energy production as a supplementary energy resource will be necessary.
The Chernobyl disaster-was described by Song Jian as regrettable but to a certain extent understandable as the development of nuclear energy is still in its