The Chinese Academy of Sciences announced yesterday that it is seeking to attract 500 scientists and researchers from overseas--its largest headhunting effort ever.

Some 1 billion yuan (US$120 million) will be spent in inviting gifted scientists to work in China over the next five to 10 years.

Meanwhile, the national academy expects to cultivate its own researchers and world-leading experts in various fields, according to Xinhua news agency.

"Talented people will make the difference in determining the result of global scientific competition," Lu Yongxiang, academy president, told a Beijing meeting on human resources that ended yesterday.

"China is going all out to find excellent scientists throughout the world," said Lu.

As it prepares to join the World Trade Organization, the country is being confronted with challenges from international institutes and the research organs of multinational companies, experts said.

Developed countries such as the United States and Germany have adopted favorable policies to attract scientists to join their scientific research programs.

Germany plans to allocate US$82 million for cultivating its own young scientists and attracting outstanding researchers from all over the world, Xinhua reported.

At the same time, the British government decided to improve the yearly wages of its scientists by 7 percent.

"The competition for scientific personnel is fierce," said Bai Chunli, academy vice president.

While streamlining their internal structures, Chinese research organs must improve their all-round environment to draw on well-known specialists and keep them in the country, said Bai.

Besides providing necessary research facilities, the academy vows to give scientific personnel more attractive salaries than they earn overseas.

The organization says it also provides a stage to young scientists who are encouraged to carry out international academic exchange and cooperation.

The academy is considering the introduction of a contracted pay system for researchers, with financial incentives for leading scientists, according to spokeswoman Li Yunling.

(www.eastday.com.cn 04/24/2001)