ABSTRACT
The rewarding of scientists in China is related to the kind of research projects that the scientists have worked on, from where they have received funds for research, and most importantly, how they have been affected by the political milieu. Thus, to provide a proper historical context for the discussion on the formation of China's scientific elite, it is necessary to survey the development of science in China and the social and political environment within which Chinese science has operated. This chapter will begin with a description of the process through which modern science was introduced and institutionalized in China. Then it will focus on the organization of scientific research in the People's Republic, research priorities in applied and basic science, and the interaction between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the intellectual community.
