 |
China to Push Ahead Bid for Entry into Space Station Program
China has for the first time listed its bid for entry into the major international scientific research programs such as Alpha International Space Station and large-sized hadron collider building as one of the important parts of its international scientific cooperation drive.
Zhu Lilan, Minister of Science and Technology, said Wednesday at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council that as of January next year China will launch a Major International Science and Technology Program with a huge sum of government funds.
It is reported that the government is to increase funds for international scientific cooperation projects by at least 100 million yuan (US$12 million) as of 2001, the first year of China's 10th Five-Year Plan period.
The minister said China's joining of the major international scientific research programs would benefit the national interests and improve its international competition capacity.
Wang Shaoqi, head of the international cooperation department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said over 100 major international scientific research programs are currently underway.
The research fields focus on high-energy physics, nuclear physics, new materials, earth science, life science and several other fields.
He said, China has joined 21 of the 51 international scientific research programs.
At the same time, China will support young scientists taking part in the high-tech programs launched by the European Union and will join in more international organizations.
The ministry has already open an office for implementation of the major international science and technology cooperation program and will announce its major science and technology department programs that require overseas cooperation via the Internet.
China's major international science and technology cooperation program aims at speeding up development of high technology fields of strategic importance and China is also taking part in more major international frontier science development programs, in a bid to increase its innovation capacity.
In This Section
|