Recently, the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security ("MOHRSS") and the General Office of the Chinese Academy of Sciences ("CAS") have jointly formulated and issued the Guiding Opinions on Deepening the Reform in the Professional Title System for Natural Scientific Researchers (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment") to seek public opinions by September 26, 2018.
Targeting prominent issues arising out of the professional title assessment for natural scientific researchers, the Draft for Comment, organized into three sections, innovates the assessment mechanism and proposes targeted reform measures. In particular, the second section specifies major tasks of the reform from four perspectives. The first is improving the professional title assessment standard. It is required to lay stress on both integrity and ability, give first consideration to the integrity, practice the category-based assessment, operate the system of representative works, and set the scientific assessment standard. The second is innovating the professional title assessment mechanism. Efforts will be made in the next step to delegate the power of the examination for professional titles, diversify the forms of professional title assessment, unblock ways for professional title assessment, and create fast tracks for the examination of professional titles. The third is promoting the effective connection between the professional title system and the employment system. It is important to persist in basing assessment on employment and reinforce the post-employment management. The fourth is intensifying the supervision and improving services for the examination of professional titles.