BEIJING — China will strengthen the establishment of national clinical research centers, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

A total of 32 national clinical research centers, involving 11 disease categories such as cardiovascular disease, malignant tumor and respiratory system, were given licenses at a conference on advancing clinical research held by national authorities in Beijing on July 22.

A development plan, a guideline and an assessment plan on national clinical research centers were released at the conference.

According to Wang Zhigang, vice minister of science and technology, national clinical research centers should take on the main responsibility in linking clinical medicine with life sciences and biotechnology research, and applying clinical research into practice.

National clinical research centers will be located at 30 top hospitals and more than 2,100 medical institutions.