More than 70 foreign ambassadors, counselors and diplomats from 35 countries are invited to visit the institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in a series of activities in its 60th anniversary celebration on November 19 in Beijing.
The year of 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the CAS. As one of its commemorating activities, the CAS invites ambassadors, counselors and diplomats or representatives from foreign countries and international organizations to join in “Approaching CAS, 2009” from late November till early December. "Approaching CAS, 2009” is made up by three parts: a welcoming banquet on November 19, visits to the CAS Science and Technology Accomplishment Exhibition specially prepared for the 60th anniversary and tours to Big Science Facilities, the University of Science and Technology of China and some CAS research institutes in Beijing, Shanghai and Hefei. BAI Chunli, Executive Vice-president of CAS, introduced the 60th anniversary celebration activities of the CAS in the welcoming banquet. The CAS was founded on November 1st, 1949, a month after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. As a research and development locomotive after its establishment, the CAS attracted many talented domestic and overseas scientists, constructed scientific research systems, explored pioneering frontiers, outlined prospects of science and technology development, served the nation for its social development and made fundamental and path-breaking contributions to China.
"China has gained eye-catching achievement in economic and social development as well as science and technology advancement for the past six decades. The CAS benefited greatly from deep and extensive international cooperation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences will always emphasize and strengthen science and technology cooperation with the rest of the world, so as to complement comparative strengths with each other for a win-win cooperation,” said LU Yongxiang, president of the CAS. Georges PAPAGEORGIOU, Counselor for Science and Technology, Delegation of the European Commission, as a representative of all invited guests, sent congratulations to the 60th anniversary of the CAS and its remarkable scientific and technological achievements and gave thanks to the CAS for the invitation. Dr. PAPAGEORGIOU expected that more scientific and technological cooperation would be carried out with the CAS. Visitors of the “Approaching CAS, 2009” come from 35 countries including the United States of America, the UK, Germany, French, Japan, Russia, Australia, Norway, Italy and Democratic People's Republic of Korea and international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the UNESCO.
LU Yongxiang, the president of CAS delivered a speech at the welcoming banquet.
Foreign guests visited the CAS Science and Technology Accomplishment Exhibition accompanied by CAS vice-president LI Jiayang.