China Science & Technology Digest:
October 15-31, 2004

ATIP

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

Ground-Breaking Science Targeted
A series of scientific projects aimed at cutting edge fields, agriculture, and the environment have been given the green light by China's Ministry of Science and Technology. The 31 basic science projects are the second batch under the nationwide "973 Programme" launched in 1997 to strengthen the country's theoretical research development. The initial 15 projects, launched in 1998, covered agriculture, energy resources, information technology, the environment, health and population, as well as new materials science.
The new 31 projects will focus on the following areas: Problem areas vital to the country's economic and social development, including gene group study on cotton fiber quality; research on large scale liquefaction of coal energy; study of the formation of environmental pollution and restoration of the ecosystem in old industrial areas in Northeast China; pathological changes of cancers and malignant tumor prevention; subjects expected to reach advanced world levels, including the application of mathematics in information technology, studies on optic and electrical function and crystal structure performance, cutting-edge projects, biological studies on multi-gene related and complicated diseases, as well as modern design of large scale and applied computer software.
Source: China Daily October 18, 2004

Nation to Send Solar Telescope Up to Space
China plans to launch the world's largest and most advanced space solar telescope (SST) into orbit circling the earth in 2008. The SST, with a 1-meter caliber, will be carried into the 735-kilometre-high earth synchronous orbit. Experts estimate the total investment into the project at 1 billion yuan (approx. US$120 million).
Japan and the United States are now jointly developing an SST, coded as SOLAR-B. With a diameter of 0.5 meter, SOLAR-B has half the capability in optical resolution of the Chinese-made solar telescope.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2004

Solar Observing Station Marks 20th Founding Anniversary
World-famous Huairou Solar Observing Station (HSOS) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its creation. Operated by the Beijing Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Science, the HSOS has a unique video magnetograph, which is a Solar Multi-Channel Telescope (SMCT). It can simultaneously measure two-dimensional solar magnetic fields and velocity fields with different spectral lines. In 1987, the station and the Big Bear Solar Observatory of the United States made important progress with a cooperative policy called "The sun never sets".
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2004

Weather Satellite Sent into Orbit
China launched its first geostationary orbit meteorological satellite, the Fengyun-2C, on October 19. The launch took place at 9:20 AM at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the Southwest China province of Sichuan. The 1.38-ton satellite, developed and manufactured by China, entered its orbit 24 minutes after takeoff. In the next few days, it will be positioned at 105 degrees east longitude over the equator with an observation scope covering one third of the earth's surface.
Earlier, China sent two experimental models of FY2 series in 1997 and 2000. It was said that with the two new channels being added to its scan radiometer, the second generation satellite, the FY2 C, has reached an international standard of new generation weather satellites.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2004

China's Progress in Biometric Identification Technology
China has made great progress in the area of biological characteristics identification technology. For example, Chinese scientists have mastered the key to biometric identification technology, and the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences came third in an international fingerprint identification technology competition this year. Moreover, the institute's iris images databases are now used in more than 60 countries. The eye iris pattern is unique for each person, and irises are much complex than fingerprints. Identification by the iris pattern is thus more reliable.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2004

Chinese-Made Test Maglev Train Makes Debut
The Chinese-made test maglev train made its debut in the north China port city of Dalian, Liaoning Province. The train, named "Zhonghua 01", the first of its kind completely designed and made in China, is a low-speed train with 32 seats specially made for urban traffic. Its top speed is less than 110 kilometers per hour. China says that its own maglev train features low energy consumption, environment friendliness, high capacity, and low cost in both production and operation. The cost of every kilometer of the track stands at 50 million yuan (US$6 million), only one-sixth of the world average. The running cost of "Zhonghua No. 1" is even lower than that of ordinary trains in the country.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2004

SARS Comes From South China Civet Cats
Civet cats were confirmed to be host of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks in south China's Guangdong Province in late 2002, but the animal was harmless in north China.
Studies of 103 civet cats' blood samples collected across China show that 70 percent of the sampled civet cats from Guangdong Province possessed the SARS virus while cats from other places such as north China's Hebei Province and east China's Jiangxi Province were free of the virus.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2004

RNA Technology for Treatment of Breast Cancer
Chinese scientists' application of RNA interference technology on animals for treatment of breast cancer has achieved noticeable results. Scientists from the Physics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are the first in the world to use RNA interference technology to treat breast cancer. Their experiments on laboratory rats show the technology can effectively kill the animals' cancer cells. Chinese scientists are now hoping to develop a genetic medicine to cure many kinds of tumors. The RNA interference technology, which is used to block the expression of genes, was discovered by scientists in the 1990s. Scientists from many countries are using it to develop genetic medicines, some of which are already in clinical use.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2004

5th China Air Show to Open
Thirty-two countries and regions will participate in the Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, opening Nov. 1, 2004, in Zhuhai, a city in south China's Guangdong Province. The show will feature exhibitions, trade negotiations, academic exchanges, and stunt flights. Overseas aviation giants, such as Boeing and Airbus, are scheduled to attend the show. An aerospace summit forums will also be held on Oct. 31 and Nov.1. The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition is a biennial event. The first was held in 1996, also in Zhuhai.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2004

Sixth China International High-Tech Trade Fair Closes
The sixth China International High-tech Trade Fair closed on October 17 in Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province. The six-day event attracted 115 delegations from 42 countries and regions worldwide and 62 multinational corporations. A total of 4,041 Chinese and foreign exhibitors presented projects and participated in high-tech exhibitions, trading, and trade talks. The World Science and Technology and Economic Forum, the first of its kind held during the high-tech trade fair, attracted 47 government officials, experts and researchers, and business leaders from across the world. They made speeches about the latest development of world's science, technology, and economy.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2004

Siemens Launches R&D Base in Wuxi
Siemens Medical Solutions Group, one of the world's largest medical equipment providers, officially launched its Research and Development (R&D) and manufacturing base for X-ray tube housing assembly in Wuxi, in East China's Jiangsu Province. The new R&D and manufacturing base is the only Siemens facility of its kind outside of Germany to focus on X-ray tube housing assemblies. With a registered capital of 45 million yuan (approx. US$5.6 million), the new base is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 4,000 to 5,000 sets of X-ray tube housing assembly, which is a core component of CT machines and X-ray systems in the medical engineering fields.
Source: China Daily October 18, 2004

Autodesk Launches Regional HQ in Beijing
Global design software and digital content provider Autodesk launched a limited company, Autodesk China, to make China a regional base along with the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Source: Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2004

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