(EST Pub Date) Science and Technology in Communist CHINA Through 1970

' H
Approved for Release: 2018/01/30 C00659420
O
rcs 4425/as
basin. /
naval weapons, although the Chinese have as-
sembled some Soviet-designed submarines, de-
stroyer escorts, and smaller vessels, the capability
for indigenous research and development is prob-
ably very limited. The capability in this area,
however, is expected to improve considerably by
the completion within the next couple of years of
a large installation which is believed to be a model
11. The level of industrial technology in China
apparently varies sharply between sectors. On the
whole it is very backward, and in most industrial
fields progress has been extremely slow since 1960.
During the period covered by this study, significant
improvements in the level of industrial technology
probably will be confined to a few selected indus-
tries. By 1970, however, new industrial techniques
will begin to be introduced more generally.
SUMMARY
12. _China’s original 12-Year Plan for catching
up with the industrialized nations in science and
technology by 1967 was a casualty of both the
“great leap forward” (1958-60) and the withdrawal
of Soviet assistance, a keystone to the fulfillment of
the plan. A new 10-Year Plan for Research
(1963-72) was formulated both to fill the gap left
by the Soviet withdrawal and to support the Chi-
nese determination to attain a high degree of self-
reliance. This long-range planning for research
and development was done in a period of general
retrenchment characterized by ad hoc short-term
economic planning. The plan’s adoption under
these circumstances points up the important role
assigned to research and development in China’s
total effort to reach first class power status.
13. During the period extending from the present
through 1970, China will remain far behind the
world’s more advanced nations in the major areas
of science and technology for several reasons.
Probably the key factor is the shortage of well-
trained scientists and engineers in the middle and
upper brackets of competence and experience in
almost all fields of interest. This shortage of
skilled manpower has caused most of the able
workers to be taxed to the limit. Another con-
spicuous weakness is the nationwide shortage of
research apparatus, test equipment, modern and
specialized machine tools, and various technological
materials that require sophisticated processing.
Efforts to strengthen science and technology have
included: (a) setting up a sound system of tech-
nical standards, (b) developing new sources for
the equipment and technical assistance formerly
supplied by the USSR, and (c) strengthening the
quality of education.
14. China is gradually increasing its exploitation
of foreign science and technology and will con-
tinue to do so during the period of this estimate.
l China has been
obtaining technical data designs and prototypes
of reliable equipment, new instrumentation, highly
advanced methods and processes, unique apparatus,
critical raw materials, components, spare parts, and
production plant facilities. "
15. China is also using science and technology
as a basis for enhancing its relations with the less
developed countries. Scientific and technical co-
operation agreements have been signed with a
number of such countries and contacts have been
made through scientific conferences and sympo-
siums, touring delegations, scientific survey teams
and training of foreign students in China. By such
means, China has attempted to increase its pene-
tration and domination among the less developed
countries.
16. Chinese work in the physical and life sci-
ences is primarily applied and concerned almost
wholly with urgent practical problems. There are,
however, some examples of original fundamental
\
3
_ Approved for Release: 2018/01/30 C00659420__