Top researchers promote science in Tibet

LHASA -- Chinese scientists will deliver about 30 lectures to teenagers in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region to raise enthusiasm for the study of science.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences lecture tour includes talks on biology, botany, electromagnetism, geophysics and medicine, and targets students of all ages.

The scientists arrived in the regional capital Lhasa Monday and the tour reaches its finale on Saturday.

"It's the first time that I've been to a lecture by such distinguished professors, and I'm very impressed," said local college student Wang Xing. "I will go to more talks over the next few days."

The idea behind the lectures is to get local teenagers excited about science, said Bai Wuming, tour organizer.

"We will come back every year for the next five years," he said.

More activities to popularize science in Tibet are planned for the rest of the year.

The Ministry of Science and Technology plans to bring prominent researchers to visit many different parts of the region.

The region also plans to build a planetarium, Wang said.