Enterprises can serve as a main force in scientific innovation, according to Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) member Jia Chengzao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Jia, who is also director of the CNPC Petroleum Institute, promised that "China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) will undertake the bulk of the responsibility for research and development in the oil industry."

According to the CNPC Petroleum Institute, the top three petroleum corporations in China - CNPC, China Petrochemical Corp and China National Offshore Oil Corp - are playing a major role in energy innovation, Currently, the CNPC alone has over 30,000 researchers working in the company's 80 research and development centers. Some 80 research projects have national science and technology awards, the institute said.