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

ATIP

This digest summarizes S&T-related articles that appeared in the media ATIP monitored in the second half of October 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.

EU & China Signed Cooperation Agreement on Galileo
The European Union (EU) and Chinese officials have formally signed a cooperation agreement on Galileo, the Civil Global Navigation Satellite System developed by the EU. The ceremony took place during the EU-China Summit in Beijing. This agreement provides for cooperative activities on satellite navigation in a wide range of sectors, notably science and technology, industrial manufacturing, as well as service and market development. It also opens the way for China to invest around 200 million euros (approx. US$230 million) in the program through a stake in the Galileo Joint Undertaking, the body established to manage the program. Galileo, scheduled to be operational by 2008, is designed to encircle the globe with 30 satellites in medium Earth orbit, comprising 27 operational satellites and three reserves, plus two control centers on the ground.
Source: China Daily 10/30/2003

Domestically Made EVD Standard to be Issued
The Ministry of Information Industry (MII) will issue the industrial standard for the domestically developed EVD (enhanced versatile disc), a next-generation disc format that will hopefully replace the currently popular DVD (digital versatile disc) in November this year. A large number of domestically manufactured EVD chips are now available as core parts of EVD players that are expected to supply the domestic market, beginning next year. EVD player prices will be set around 2,000 Yuan (approx. US$240), compared with around 700 Yuan (approx. US$85) for the average cost of a domestic DVD player. Players powered by EVD technology are expected to offer as much as five times the quality of image definition compared with DVD players. China produced over 30 million DVD players in 2002, almost doubling the figure in 2001, and nearly 20 million units were exported last year.
Source: China Daily 10/28/2003

Light Plane Makes Maiden Flight in Hebei
A light Chinese-built multi-purpose aircraft, the Little Eagle 500, made its maiden flight in Shijiazhuang in North China's Hebei Province. The craft was jointly developed by the China Aviation Industry Corporation, II’s Shijiazhuang Aircraft Industrial Co. Ltd, the China Aviation Industry Corporation, I’s No. 1 Airplane Designing Institute, and the China Civil Aviation College. Capable of transporting four passengers, the aircraft can be used for business trips as well as tourism and air patrols. The 7.7 meter-long, 3 meter high craft can fly 1,640 kilometers, go as high as 3,000 meters, and carry 560 kilograms of cargo. It is expected to go on sale in the second half of next year. The price will be set at 2 to 3 million Yuan (approx. US$241,341 to US$362,012).
Source: Xinhuanews Agency 10/27/2003

Chinese Academic Institution for Proteome Research Founded
China has established the Chinese Human Proteome Organization (CNHUPO) and Chinese Proteomics Academic Committee to promote proteomics research. He Fuchu, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has been elected Chairman of CNHUPO. Proteomics has been regarded as an important pillar of functional genomics and is at the frontier of current life science research. China is one of the first countries to sponsor and launch proteomics research. The research is being funded by the State's Natural Science Foundation of China, "973 Program", and "863 Program".
Source: People’s Daily 10/28/2003

China Aerospace & New World Group Form Joint Venture
China Aerospace Science & Technology Corp., the state-owned enterprise responsible for China's space program, and New World Group, a Hong Kong conglomerate, have created a joint venture through Hong Kong listed subsidiaries. The China Aerospace New World Technology Ltd (CANW) will focus on interactive cable and satellite digital TV as well as the development of other satellite technologies. The newly formed joint venture will initially serve the cable and satellite digital TV market in the mainland. The company aims to reach over two million subscribers in the mainland over the coming two-year period.
Source: China Daily 10/28/2003

Nation Steps up Efforts to Ensure Bio-Safety
China is taking a series of measures, including drafting laws and regulations, to ensure biosafety amid growing use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) technology in the country. The State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA) is working with relevant ministries to draft the Law on Bio-safety. Over the past 10 years, modern biotechnology has developed rapidly in China. One of the most visible and successful achievements is the development and commercial application of transgenic insect-resistant cotton. By the end of 2002, the acreage of GM cotton in the country totaled 2.1 million hectares, accounting for 51 percent of the total cotton acreage. Transgenic rice and potato were approved for environmental release three years ago. However, no transgenic staple food crops and oil crops have been approved for planting. China's State Council, or cabinet, issued the Regulation on Bio-safety Administration of Agricultural GMOs in 2001. The following year, the Ministry of Agriculture issued regulations on safety assessment, import and export, and labeling of agricultural GMOs.
Source: China Daily 10/30/2003

China Develops Ocean Medicine
A state-level research program is underway to discover how microbes survive in extreme conditions in the ocean, as part of the 863 High-Tech Program (initiated in March 1986), the nation's priority science development plan. The research, being carried out by Zhejiang University, in the coastal province of Zhejiang, aims to find natural bio-active substances in marine life that live in extreme environments in deep water. Many micro-organisms thrive around thermal areas, where the temperature is well above boiling, and survive tremendous water pressure, thousands of meters below the surface amid huge amounts of heavy metals. The importance of ocean resources, and medicines made from them, is coming under increasing international scrutiny. Oceans contain 80 percent of the earth's resources, and can provide a wide diversity of materials for medical use. Moreover, extreme deep sea conditions accommodate considerable marine life with many pharmaceutical usages.
Source: China Daily 10/26/2003

Young Space Elite Emerges from Manned Space Program
A group of well-educated young professionals with good managerial skills were trained during the development of the Shenzhou-5 spaceship. About 80 percent of the engineers and technicians working for the space project are under 40 of age, with some under 30. Liu Feng, 27, is the commander of the error inspection system for the carrier rocket for the project while Qin Wenbo, vice-chief designer of the spacecraft system, is 37 years old. The stars include rocket expert Zhang Qingwei, 42, deputy chief commander of the space project, Yuan Jiajun, 41, chief commander of the spacecraft system and president of the China Academy of Space Technology, and rocket expert Wu Yansheng, 39, president of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
Source: People’s Daily 10/27/003

Mainland & Taiwan to Continue Cooperation in Space Seed Breeding
Experts from the mainland and Taiwan will continue their cooperation in space seed breeding by conducting follow-up experiments on seeds carried into space aboard the Shenzhou-5 manned spacecraft. 100 grams of crop seeds were aboard the spacecraft, which circled the Earth 14 times on a 21-hour mission on October 15 and 16. There were 33 varieties of seeds, including flowers and vegetables. The project represented the first cooperation of agricultural research institutions from both sides of the Taiwan Straits in space breeding.
Source: Xinhuanews Agency 10/30/2003

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