The newly released regulations on awarding military sci-tech research will enhance innovation vitality and provide high-quality technological support for the cause of building a strong army in the new era, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, on Monday at a press briefing in Beijing.
Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has recently signed an order to release the regulations.
The document, which will take effect on July 1, aims to implement the strategy of strengthening the armed forces through science and technology, and regulate the process of awarding military scientific research.
Jiang gave a detailed introduction to the document at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
"The regulations on awarding military scientific research is the first scientific research award regulation that covers the whole military and features three characteristics. First, the combat effectiveness standard is integrated into all links of the award process, while the contribution to promoting the generation and improvement of combat effectiveness is taken as the primary indicator for measuring achievements, and is given the highest weight. Second, awards are set up for different fields such as theoretical research, scientific and technological progress, and technological inventions, and are presented in different levels of special, first, second and third, with the aim to build a military scientific research award system with a reasonable structure, distinct military characteristics and scientific classification evaluation," said Jiang.
"Third, the award evaluation and granting cycle has been adjusted to achieve overall control of the number of awards, strengthen the construction of the reward discipline system, give full play to the inspiring role of awarding in promoting scientific research, and encourage researchers to devote themselves to research and practical innovation," he continued.
"The introduction of the regulations will effectively stimulate the vitality of military scientific research and innovation, accelerate the innovation of military theory and national defense science and technology, and promote the cause of building strong armed forces in the new era with high-quality scientific and technological supply," Jiang concluded.
New regulations on awarding military sci-tech research to boost military innovation vitality
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
