China Science & Technology Digest:
April 15-30, 2004

ATIP

This digest summarizes S&T-related articles that appeared in the media ATIP monitored in the second half of April 2004. 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.

China Launches Two New Satellites
China successfully sent two new satellites into space on April 19th with a Long March II C carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center based in southwest China's Sichuan Province. About a dozen minutes after take-off, the carrier rocket first released the "Experiment Satellite I" and then "Nano-satellite I", 30 seconds later.
The Experiment Satellite I, with a weight of 204 kg, is China's first transmission-type small satellite capable of stereo mapping. It was jointly designed by the Harbin Polytechnic University, the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology, Changchun Photomechanical Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Xi'an Surveys and Designs Institute.
Nano-satellite I, with a weight of 25 kg, is designed for high-tech experiments. The satellite was developed and will be used by the elite Qinghua University and the Aerospace Qinghua Satellite Technologies Co. Ltd.
Source: China Daily 04/19/2004

China Develops First Nano-Satellite
On April 19th, China successfully sent into space Nano-satellite I, the first nanotechnology-based satellite independently developed by the country and which has made China the fourth country in the world that is capable of launching nano-satellites after Russia, the United States, and Britain.
While heralding micro satellites as a revolution in aerospace, Chinese experts pointed out that China had treated the development of super small satellites as an important way to serve economic growth and benefit mankind by using space technologies.
Source: China Daily 04/19/2004

8th Generator Going into Operation at Three Gorges
The eighth hydroelectric power generator has begun operation at China's Three Gorges Power Project on the Yangtze River. Presently, there are eight power generators in operation at the Three Gorges project—each with a generating capacity of 700,000 kilowatts—with a combined capacity of 115 million kwh of electricity a day. Launched in 1993 and set to be completed in 2009, the Three Gorges project will be installed with 26 generators, which are expected to generate an average 84.7 billion kwh of electricity a year.
Source: People's Daily 04/30/2004

China & Europe Launch Remote Sensing Program
China and Europe have launched a remote sensing program in Xiamen City in east China's Fujian Province. The program is being jointly developed by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the European Space Agency (ESA). It is the largest Sino-European cooperation on remote sensing. Nearly 140 Chinese and European scientists will work on the three-year project, which will cover the fields of agricultural application, water resources, flood monitoring, and pollution surveillance.
Source: China News agency 04/28/2004

First Gene Treatment Medicine Developed
China has succeeded in developing the world's first gene treatment medicine. Utilizing gene technology, the medicine is used to cure cancers by killing tumor cells. The medicine has been applied to some 30 tumors and has so far proved safe and efficacious. Currently, this gene treatment medicine is available on the market. This new development of gene treatment medicine was reported in the academic journal Nature.
Source: China Daily 04/26/2004

China to Begin Clinical Trial Of Anti-SARS Vaccine
China will undertake the first phase of clinical testing of a SARS vaccine on 40 volunteers in the near future at a Beijing hospital. Previous tests have shown the vaccine is both safe and efficient, and volunteers could return to work following a two-hour observation period. All tests would be complete within 210 days. China is the world's first country to approve clinical testing of the anti-SARS vaccine on humans.
Source: Xinhuanews Agency 04/26/2004

Lufthansa IT Unit Expands in China
Lufthansa Systems Group GmbH, a unit under Germany's Lufthansa Group offering IT service and solutions for air carriers worldwide, plans to open an office in Shanghai around the end of this year and expects the expansion to help the Company increase its annual revenues by more than 8 percent in Asia.
Source: Xinhuanews Agency 04/27/2004

Hydrogen-Powered Cars Show Great Market Potential in China
China believes that developing cars powered by hydrogen will be an effective way to relieve China's gas pollution problems. During China's tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005), the Ministry of Science and Technology has earmarked 400 million yuan (approx. 48 million US dollars) to develop hydrogen-powered cars. China had over 24.2 million automobiles in 2003 and the figure is expected to top 30 million in 2005. China is expected to become the largest automobile consumer within 10 to 15 years. The Chinese automobile industry will need 450 million tons of petroleum by 2020,of which 60 percent will be imported.
Source: Xinhua News Agency 04/15/2004

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