Chinese scientists freed from distractions

Chinese scientists are being relieved of administrative duties so they can dedicate more time to research.

Authorities have removed 78 tasks related to scientific projects appraisal and awards, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) announced on Thursday.

By canceling, merging or delegating non-research related tasks, they've reduced the number by 29 percent.

Frequent meetings and unrelated tasks "consumed their time and energy and seriously affected the scientific research and teaching fulfillment," according to a MOST statement.

The work to streamline the tasks began in September 2013 and involved 12 government branches, including MOST, Ministry of Finance and National Natural Science Foundation.

The statement said the procedures for the remaining events have also been simplified, with reduced meetings and shortened appraisal time.

Appraisals will be held from April to May and September to October each year in order to observe the "no disturbance" time during other months.