China Science & Technology Digest:
April 15-30, 2003

ATIP

This digest summarizes S&T-related articles that appeared in the media ATIP monitored in the second half of April 2003. Some articles reference a relevant website to assist readers in obtaining further information. For questions or to request additional information, please send email to ChinaST@atip.or.jp. The exchange rate used for this issue is RMB8.287 against the U.S. dollar.

Since April 20, 2003, with the dismissal of the Mayor of Beijing, Meng Xuenong, and Minister of Health, Zhang Wenkang, the Chinese government has embarked on a policy of openness in reporting information on SARS. As a result, China's technical news has been dominated by the coverage of SARS, with little space left for other information. The present report includes a brief article on one of the so called SARS developments or breakthroughs by Mainland Chinese scientists, which has yet to be properly tested, and leaves out other news on SARS such as those listed below:

Shanghai scientists developing a cure for SARS; Xinhuanet 04/21/2003

Symposium on SARS control held in Beijing; Xinhuanews 04/23/2003

Chinese scientists believe SARS vaccine likely to be developed in months; Xinhuanews 04/28/2003

China Develops New Generation of Large Carrier Rocket
China has begun the research and development of a new generation carrier-rocket of the Long-March series to meet the needs for the launching of space exploration equipment such as large-sized satellites and lunar-surveying installations. There will be 14 types of the new generation of carrier-rockets. The main feature is the carrying capacity on a low-orbit, which is 1.2 to 25 tons while that on a higher orbit is 1.8 to 14 tons. A new launching ground for the new generation of carrier-rockets is going to be constructed in Hainan Province. The present launching grounds at Jiuquan, Xichang, and Taiyuan are all built in inland areas.
Source: People's Daily 04/07/2003

Beijing Becomes China's Largest Technology Trading Center
Beijing reported China's largest trade volume in technological products last year, with a total contractual volume of over 20 billion RMB yuan (approx. US$2.4 billion). Statistics show that Beijing's contractual technological trade volume accounts for one quarter of the national total at ten billion RMB yuan (approx. US$1.2 billion), which is higher than that of Shanghai, China's largest industrial city. Beijing's Zhongguancun, known as China's Silicon Valley for its large number of high-tech enterprises and research institutions, is the most important area for technology trading. Trade in electronic information technology, biological engineering, new medicines, new materials, and environmental protection continue to dominate the technology market.
Source: Xinhuanet 04/24/2003

Shanghai to Establish Technological Industry Centers in Suburbs
Shanghai plans to establish a group of scientific and technological industry centers in its suburban areas, with the cooperation of foreign enterprises. The development of the centers would focus on sectors in integrated circuit design, multi-media research, trade transport, new and high technology, biological medicines, and software development.
Source: Xinhuanet 04/16/2003

Legend to Unveil First Chinese-Developed MMS Phone
Beijing-based Legend Group will unveil the first domestically developed mobile phone, the G818 model, enabling MMS (multimedia messaging service) in a bid to tap the MMS phone market, which is now dominated by overseas telephone makers. China Mobile Telecommunications Corp. launched multimedia messaging service late last year. Most of the MMS phones currently available in China, all foreign brands, cost more than 4,000 RMB yuan (approx. US$484), compared with 1,500 RMB yuan (US$131) for regular phones.
Source: People's Daily 04/19/2003

Private High-Tech Firms Developing Rapidly in South China
Private high-tech firms are developing at a fast pace in South China's Guangdong Province. Out of the province's 2,396 high-tech firms, 1,259 are privately owned, accounting for 52.5 percent of the total. The private firms, which involve computer software, electronics and telecommunications equipment, as well as other manufacturing sectors, generated 131 billion RMB yuan (approx. US$15.3 billion) worth of high-tech products last year.
Two private high-tech firms in the province—telecommunications giants Huawei and Zhongxing in Shenzhen—took 80 percent of the Chinese market for programmed control switchboards.
Source: Xinhuanet 04/28/2003

China Invents One-Hour SARS Virus Test
Scientists from the Beijing Genomics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Microbe Epidemic Institute of the Military Medicine Academy of Sciences have completed the genome-sequencing of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus and developed a method to test SARS. The new method uses the specially modified protein of the virus to detect the presence of a type of antibody which the body produces as a response to infection with the virus. The results of the test can be known in one hour.
Source: Xinhuanet 04/22/2003

ATIP offers a full range of information services including reports, assessments, briefings, visits, sample procurements, workshops, cultural/business sensitivity training, and liaison activities, all performed by our on-the- ground multilingual experts.

Tokyo Office:
Asian Technology Information Program
Harks Roppongi Building 1F 6-15-21 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo 106, JAPAN
Tel: +81 3 5411-6670
Fax: +81 3 5411-6671

U.S. Office:
Asian Technology Information Program
P.O. Box 9678 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87119
Tel: (505) 842-9020
Fax: (505) 766-5166
For further information:
Email: info@atip.or.jp
Website: http://www.atip.or.jp OR http://www.atip.org