Science requires sharing knowledge
By Zhu Chengpei (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-09-28 02:24

A top Chinese scientist appealed Monday to his Asian partners for further co-operation and regional exchange.

"Increasing changes brought by today's modern science and knowledge economy has raised even more demands for international and regional exchange and co-operation in science and technology," said Lu Yongxiang, president of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at the fifth General Assembly of Association of Academies of Sciences in Asia (AASA).

Lu is also vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Founded five years ago in the Republic of Korea, AASA is dedicated to the development of scientific exchange and co-operation between and among all Asian countries.

More than 40 academy presidents and scientists from 19 countries and regions in Asia and Europe are attending the assembly, held Monday through today in this coastal city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The participants are discussing the progress achieved in biotechnology and cultural heritage in the region.

During the conference, a symposium on utilization of renewable energy is being held.

In the past years, AASA launched fruitful regional co-operation in areas such as biotechnology, cultural heritage, water resources and utilization, food and safety, Lu said.

A regional centre was also set up in Irkutsk of Russia to facilitate the research activities of its member academies.

"We need to build up a well-defined mechanism for information exchange among AASA members and promote communications in science and technological development strategy, key scientific R&D activities, science consultation and science ethics cultivation," Lu said.

Co-operation for joint projects and programmes is especially important in areas with great significance in regional scientific, economic and social development, he said.

For example, industrial scale applications of renewable energy, as novel and high technology, have not been realized as greatly as expected in most Asian countries.

Lu hoped AASA will promote capacity building of its member institutions and give strong support to those in less developed countries.

As a member of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), CAS has launched a fellowship programme providing 50 postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowships in China every year for young scientists from developing countries.

"I hope young scientists in Asia can benefit from the programme," Lu added.

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