In an effort to tempt 200,000 overseas Chinese scholars to come home in the 2006-2010 period, science centers are being set-up in the country to allow them to continue with their work, said the Ministry of Personnel on Thursday.

Statistics from 2005 show that barely a quarter of Chinese scholars who've studied abroad returned.

The country wishes to attract leading Chinese scholars who are familiar with international practices and can help lead research in various fields at home, according to the Ministry.

The government is offering more favorable policies for returned scientists who want to launch start-ups by creating some 50 special technological incubation centers over the five-year period.

By the end of 2005 over 930,000 Chinese had studied abroad with approximately 230,000 returning over the last decades.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2007)