The Spark Program in China

　　The Spark Program was formally implemented in 1986. The major task of the Spark Program is to rejuvenate the rural economy by relying on science and technology, popularize advanced and applicable scientific and technological findings in the rural areas and lead the township enterprises to develop in a healthy way. To encourage the program, the Chinese government set up the National Spark Prize in 1987, including Spark Science and Technology Prize, Spark Talent Training Prize, Spark Management Prize, Spark Outstanding Youth Prize and Spark Demonstrating Enterprise Prize. The prizewinners can be companies, groups or individuals, and the prize is divided into national and provincial classes.

　　If projects of some factories do great harm to the environment, destroy valuable resources or natural balance, the factories have no right to apply for the award.

　　The provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government are responsible to organize the appraisal procedures and report to the State Science Commission. The Spark Prize appraisal committees are entrusted to appraise, authorize and honor the project. The prize is held annually, and the awarding forms and bonus depend on the appraisal committee.

　　This plan places great stress on industries closely related to people's livelihood. The Spark Program has also made efforts to relieve poverty in rural areas. It has organized demonstrations of scientific and technological projects in ten typical mountain areas, and comprehensively developed and utilized resources to tackle the problems of food and clothing of local people.