More funding for basic science required

Visualization - Gravitational waves generated by a binary system. [Photo/NASA]

The gravitational waves, ripples in space and time hypothesized by physicist Albert Einstein a century ago, were detected for the first time last week by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in the United States. The landmark discovery of gravitational waves will inspire scientists around the world to deepen their researches, and China should not lag behind, says Beijing Youth Daily:

Indeed, scientists have every reason to celebrate the detection of gravitational waves, which confirm a major prediction of Albert Einstein's 1915 General Theory of Relativity and may open an unprecedented new window on the cosmos. Ordinary people's enthusiasm for physics and cosmology, which often seem far away from their daily lives, has seemed to be kindled too.

It was the United States that launched the detection and carved its name in the history of basic research, although scientists from over 10 countries - including China - all made notable contributions to the discovery of gravitational waves. China also has a gravitational wave project.

However, China's Tianqin project, to be conducted by the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, which has similar ambitions and scientific pursuit, has been awaiting government approval since July.

True, as the world's second-largest economy, China has made progress in its basic scientific research and yielded decent gains. Its investment in science is second only to the US; and it can take great pride in its major achievements in many practical research projects.

But when it comes to innovations and breakthroughs, which can cost a huge amount of money, its achievements are not as impressive.

Modern social development increasingly relies on scientific breakthroughs. Space technology, for example, has played a role in not only satellite communications and weather forecasts, but also national security. It is time that China provided sufficient financial support to basic research, in order to better protect its security-based interests and sustain its economic growth.