Jiang Zemin Writes Paean for Third World Academy of SciencesBelieving that in the new century, the Third World Academy of Sciences will make new contribution to promoting Third World scientific undertaking, training young scientists and impelling South-South and global scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges characterized by equality and mutual benefit.At the request of Third World Academy of Sciences, Jiang Zemin, president of the People's Republic of China, has gladly written this paean: "In today's world, science and technology has become the decisive factor for economic and social development. To shake off poverty and realize development and prosperity, the Third World must rely on scientific and technological progress. The Third World Academy of Sciences has made important contribution in promoting scientific and technological development for various Third World countries, enhancing innovative abilities and strengthening extensive cooperation. It is worthy of the name of the academy of the Third World scientists themselves. I am fully confident that in the new century, the Third World Academy of Sciences will make new contribution to promoting the Third World scientific undertaking, training young scientists and impelling South-South and global scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges characterized by equality and mutual benefit." Founded on November 10, 1983 at the initiation of Professor Abdus Salam, the late Pakistani physicist and winner of the Nobel Physics Prize, the Third World Academy of Sciences is designed to promote South-South and South-North scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation and encourage extensive research and development of problems existing in the Third World countries, Professor Salam was the first president of the Academy. Since its establishment, the Third World Academy of Sciences has played an active role in boosting South-South and South-North scientific and technological cooperation and has thus been highly praised. The Third World Academy of Sciences presently boasts 589 academicians coming from 57 countries and regions around the world, of whom 17 have won Nobel Prize. Academicians of the Third World Academy of Sciences are elected from among well-known scientists with the academies of sciences, national research councils, universities and research institutes of Third World countries. With a view to seeking development, promoting scientific and technological progress of the developing countries and expanding the influence of Third World Academy of Sciences, this academy recently called on State leaders of the developing countries to support its activities. Currently, State leaders of Brazil, Italy, Kuwait and Tanzania have published in succession paeans or statement expressing their support and encouragement for the positive role the Third World Academy of Sciences has played in propelling Third World scientific development and South-South cooperation. Over the past 10 years and more, China has all along been maintaining close relations and carrying out extensive cooperation with other Third World academies of sciences. Sixteen Chinese scientists have won Basic Science Prize, and two Chinese research institutes have won the Application Technology Prize, of the Third World Academy of Sciences. China has received more than 500 scientists from Third World Countries to come to engage in cooperative research in China, and financially supported over 4,000 Third World scientists to come to China to attend various types of international academic conferences and to participate in training class activities. In 1987, with the assistance of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Second Academicians Congress of the Third World Academy of Sciences was solemnly held in Beijing. The then Party and State leaders Deng Xiaoping and Li Xiannian separately met with Professor Salam, first president of the Third World Academy of Sciences. Seventy two Chinese scientists, including Lu Jiaxi, Wu Jieping and Zhou Guangzhao, have been elected academicians of the Third World Academy of Sciences, Lu Jiaxi, Zhou Guangzhao and Lu Yongxiang have been elected in succession to be vice-presidents of the Third World Academy of Sciences. |
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