|
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION |
Solar Energy Training Center for Developing Nations
A solar heating and cooling technology demonstration base, physically located in Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, has recently opened its training courses for 18 trainees from Mongolia, Rwanda, Sudan, Lesotho, Thailand, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Angola and Romania. Occupying an area of 80,000 m2, the training center constitutes the largest solar energy study and demonstration base in Asia.
China has gathered rich experiences in solar energy utilization, having numerous solar technologies applicable to the developing nations. As early as in the 1980s, China proposed to share its solar technologies and experiences with the developing nations through south-south cooperation. The Natural Energy Institute, an affiliate to the Gansu Provincial Academy of Sciences, began in 1991 to offer solar technology training for overseas trainees. Up to date, it has run 17 rounds of international training courses on solar energy utilization, 2 rounds of solar battery technology training, and numerous international workshops. Some 400 trainees from more than 70 countries in five continents received trainings.
In addition to technical trainings, China is also actively pursuing technical exchanges and cooperation with both developed and developing nations. While sending its personnel to study in developed nations, China also dispatch its experts to developing nations, providing technical assistance in solar utilization there. In recent years, the Institute assisted Tanzania to formulate its five-year plan for solar energy development, and helped Cote d'ivoire to diffuse the applications of solar batteries. At the UN’s invitation, it prepared a letter of proposal on solar energy development and utilization in African countries. The Institute is currently working with Cuba, Thailand, Pakistan and Romania on cooperative solar technology utilization.
China-US-Japan Tibet Expedition
A China-US-Japan Tibet expedition arrived in Naqu on August 11, 2004, which marks the formal beginning of the 40-day long expedition journey of three nations’ scientists. The expedition, attracting the participation of more than 40 scientists, plans to proceed separately heading for north and west. The northern route, with members mostly from China and Japan, will investigate the environment of northern Tibet. More than 20 team members will make systematic study of the impacts of atmosphere, soil and energy water cycle of Tang’gula Mount in the northern Tibet and Tang’gula Mount in Nianqing area on the environment of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The west route will cover the glaciers in Ximalaya Mount, under the joint investigation by both China and US scientists. Some 20 members will, starting from Lhasa, study the glaciers formed along the northern foot of Ximalaya Mount, including the glaciers embedded in Zhumulangma Peak (Everest). Scientists will launch an extensive investigation over the glaciers around Namunani Peak, the largest of its kind at a sea level of 7694 m in the west Ximalaya Mount. The entire expedition expects to be completed in the mid-September.
The global energy water cycle-Asian monsoon experiment on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a joint research project between China and Japan, has for the first time made the energy exchange between Qinghai-Tibet Plateau’s ground surface and atmosphere a primary research target. The Coordinated and Enhanced Observation Program (CEOP), furthermore, highlights this research topic in its Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Experiment on Asia-Australia monsoon. The expedition, in an effort to enhance observations at different space scales, and to set off a long-term observation, will heavily use numerical modeling and satellite remote sensing data. It will eventually, in 5 to 10 years, work out a relatively complete analysis of the interactions between ground surface and atmosphere over the Plateau, and energy water cycles. The expecting findings will improve the descriptions of Asian monsoon system in atmospheric circulation models and climate models, raising forecasting capability for global weathers and climates, especially for severe weathers in China.
China Expects Space Cooperation with US and Japan
SUN Laiyan, Chinese Administrator of Space said on August 11, 2004 that, China expects cooperation with the US and Japan, in the field of peaceful utilization of outer space resources and making fortunes for the mankind.
At a news briefing on “Dual Satellite Program”, SUN told reporters that China has already forged fruitful space cooperation with Europe, Brazil, Russia and some countries in Asia. China is currently building a satellite constellation made up of 8 satellites, in an effort to protect environment and alleviate and prevent disasters. The constellation will be able to make real time and all-weather observation of an area on Earth once every hour. China is working on three of the planned 8 satellites. He welcomes Japan and other Asian countries’ involvement in joint developing other 5 satellites.
SUN thought highly of the earth-space dual satellite observation program, a joint project between the China National Space Administration and the European Space Agency, rating it a high level and substantive cooperation with developed nations in China’s own advanced space observation project. SUN believes that, on this well-laid foundation, both China and Europe will maintain the cooperation momentum in space study and applications.
China-German Collection of Combustible Ice
The Distribution and Formation of Methane and Natural Hydrates over the Southern Continental Slope of China’s South Sea, and Its Impacts on Environment”, a priority project initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology for international cooperation, has achieved its phase results. Under the concerted support of both Chinese and German Governments, the two nations’ scientists completed the project, running a German “SUN” boat in China’s South Sea area. During the joint expedition, scientists have collected natural hydrates in the shallow water of China South Sea’s offshore areas, and produced rich investigation results. The new energy, once exploited and used, will become an important strategic substitute in alleviating China’s energy crisis that has become increasingly serious.
China-German South Sea expedition is the first international cooperation in the field. Chinese scientists have, through the expedition, learned advanced technologies and proven experiences from their German colleagues. Using advanced technical facilities, the expedition has produced geological specimens and research results that are able to fill up the blanks on natural hydrates, and enhance China’s research level in the field.
China’s Space Industry Expects Foreign Capital
ZHANG Guangqin, Vice Minister of State Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, pointed out on August 20, 2004 that China’s accession to WTO has made China’s aviation and space industry become more open to the outside world. Aviation and space industries have become an extremely important business in the national economy. The Chinese government strongly supports China’s aviation and space industry to forge collaborations and exchanges with its overseas counterparts, encouraging foreign capital into China’s aviation and space industries.
Referring to the 5th China International Aviation and Space Show, to be held in early November, 2004, ZHANG said that China’s air show has been running for ten years, along with the development of China’s aviation and space industries, witnessing the surging of China’s aviation and space industries, and major achievements that the industries have made. China’s previous air shows have demonstrated China’s S&T strength in the fields, and created a fine platform for the cooperation between China’s aviation and space industries and their international counterparts.
ZHANG pointed out that, as an administration in charge of aviation and space activities, the State Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has the responsibility to provide guidance for the development of China’s aviation and space industries, promoting international cooperation and exchanges. He disclosed that the State Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the China Civil Aviation Administration would co-sponsor the second China Aviation and Space Summit during the air show. Under the theme “Development and Market Opportunities for China’s Aviation and Space Industries”, participants will discuss hot issues and market opportunities facing China’s aviation and space industries.
More International Cooperation in Work Safety
On August 19, 2004, the Chinese State Administrator of Work Safety said that China would strengthen its international cooperation and exchanges in the field of work safety, in a concerted effort to improve global work safety and employees’ health.
It is reported that the 2nd China International Work Safety Forum and China International Work Safety and Employee Health Show will be held September 1-4 in Beijing. Both the forum and show, jointly sponsored by the State Administration of Work Safety and the International Labor Organization, assisted by US Liberty Mutual and the US Safety Commission, are physically organized by the International Exchange and Cooperation Center, a part of the State Administration of Work Safety. Under the theme of “Safety, Health and Development”, the forum will cover many interesting topics in 5 sub-sessions, including hazardous chemicals safety management, international recognition of registered safety engineers, work safety and emergency rescue, safety culture and community safety, industrial safety quality standardization and risk assessment. The safety show will display new techniques, products and equipment relating to work safety and employees’ health. The show will be staged to reflect different safety aspects, including safety and health, special equipment protection, work safety training, and work safety S&T.
According to a briefing, some 150 governmental officials and industrial heads from more than 20 countries and regions, including China, the US, Canada, and Hong Kong, will attend the forum. The show, with a showcase space for 7,000 m2, will attract the participation of some 200 vendors. Large institutions, such as Japan’s Industrial Safety and Health Association, Korea’s Safety Equipment Association, will send a delegation of more than 10 members to the event. In addition, several hundred safety specialists from 18 countries, including the US, Australia, and the UK will visit the show.
International High Physics Conference in China
The 32nd International High Physics Conference lifted its curtain on August 16, 2004, at the Beijing International Convention Center. The grand international event for high-energy physics, the first of its kind held in China, attracted the participation of more than a thousand representatives from 42 countries or regions.
At the conference, participants shared the latest theoretical and experimental findings in the field of particle physics, exploring other cutting edge issues concerning celestial physics, particle celestial physics and cosmography. They also discussed advanced accelerator technology and particle physics based probing, sharing views on alternative design plans for future large positron-electron straight collider.
During the meeting, 24 lectures were delivered at the plenary sessions, 307 presentations were made at sub-sessions under 13 topics. Two Chinese high-energy physicians presented their latest findings at the plenary sessions. In addition, 33 Chinese physicians, including 6 physicians from Taiwan, and some 10 overseas Chinese physicians, made their presentations at sub-sessions.
Einstein Lecturer Professor Program
The Chinese Academy of Science has recently publicized management rules for its Einstein Lecturer Profession Program. According the program, CAS will invite 20 to 30 world top scientists, including winners of Nobel Prize in natural sciences, or equivalents, to make a 1-2 week lecture tour in China.
According to a briefing, the lecture tour will mainly cover the following events: CAS will organize an academic lecture session, inviting visiting scientists to make academic lectures on development trends of cutting-edge sciences. CAS will also organize visiting scientists to share their academic findings with relevant Chinese institutions, offering consultations or suggestion on the future development orientations for those institutes, providing guidance for research activities, and exploring joint personnel training. The recipient institute will reach an agreement with visiting scientists on sending senior visiting scholars to the research institute where visiting scientists are working. The recipient institute will send 1 or 2 academic leaders to pay a return visit to the visiting scientist’s lab or institute for 3 to 6 months. CAS will finance those senior visiting scholars via its overseas study fund or short-term exchange fund.
4th Global Climate Change Assessment
QIN Dahe, Chinese Administrator of Meteorology, announced on August 12, 2004, that 28 Chinese experts, who are members of IPCC’s fourth assessment report drafting group, would make a scientific assessment of global climate changes for the future 4 years. According to QIN, the assessment report will be completed at the end of 2007, providing key evidences for the new round of greenhouse gas emission talks under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
28 Chinese experts, from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology and other governmental agencies, will work on a climate assessment report that will address global climate changes and its impacts, and trends of international activities in the field. The assessment report will have direct implications on the future international talks on climate change. According to a briefing, IPCC’s reports have reflected scientific issues closely related to policy making, though they do not directly assess policy issues. In addition to its representative statement of the latest scientific developments, the assessment report bears important implications on climate change related decision-making processes and international talks.
China Opens Weather Data Network for Free
To meet public demands for weather data, and in an attempt to raise online resources sharing capacity, the China Meteorological Administration officially opened on August 17, 2004 a weather data-sharing network. Under the guidance of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the data-sharing network mainly provides atmospheric science related data, making itself an online service system providing climate system data. With multiple sponsors, including the Meteorological Information Center, Satellite Meteorological Center and Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, affiliates to the China Meteorological Administration, and local meteorological bureaus in Hubei, Gansu, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu and Tibet, the new network will provide free data derived from ground and upper air observations, solar radiation observation, weather satellites and scientific experiments.
Users can easily find free weather data from http://data.cma.gov.cn, using key words, or a number of other searching means. Any institutions or individuals, in line with public good nature, can apply for a membership of the network, sharing weather data resources there.
Comments or inquiries on editorial matters or Newsletter content should be directed to:Mr. Mao Zhongying, Department of International Cooperation, MOST 15B, Fuxing Road Beijing 100862, PR China Tel: (8610)58881360 Fax: (8610) 58881364
http://www.most.gov.cn
