be limited to purchasing samples, single units, which are to be digested and esslmllated. The same Item should not be Imported repeatedly. · Organizations responsible for technology Imports In China are located at different levels. In general, such Importation Is organized and coordinated by the State Economic Commission, wblle Important Items at the natlonal·leveJ,. suches nuclear power technologies, are under the joint responslbJJity of the State Science and Technology Commission, the State Planning Commission, and ministries concernd. Tbe ministries, provincial and munlcl• pal governments, Including the special economic zones, are autho­ rized to Import technologies needed for tbelr own use within their terms of reference. A small number of large, key enter­ prises can also Import techn~logJes needed for themselves. lnstltutlons lnvoJved In transfer of tecbnology , Chine has established a State Patent Office to register patents from domestic and foreign sources. Yet, It Is not an agency concernd with domestic technology transfer or technology trade In a normal sense. So fer, no center or organization at the national level responsbfle for technology transfer have been created. Such activities are carried out by the ministries• local governments. and so on. Many S and T exchange, consulting, service or development centers have·emerged across the country, whiCh are ectlvely promotl'lg technology trensfer. At the national level. technology transfer Is administered mainly by the State Science and Technology Commission and their provincial affllfates. Characteristics of foreign tecbnology Inflows s Since 1979, our policy towards technology Importation has undergone a significant change, emphasis shifting from turnekey Plants to specific technologies, key components, licence trede, Joint production, technical consultation and service. From 1979 fo 1982, over 440 technology Importation projects were signed under the go~ernment's plan, amounting to A.5 billion US dol Iars. Among these, some 50 percent are licence trade, technical consul• 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the policies and regulations surrounding technology imports in China, particularly in the context of economic development. The text highlights the changes in China's policy towards technology imports, the organizations involved in the process, and the characteristics of foreign technology inflows. The text also touches on the role of the State Science and Technology Commission and other government agencies in administering technology transfer.

**Category**
Science and technology, International trade