China's scientific research system is a cooperative one,
comprising the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), schools of higher
learning, industrial departments, national defense departments and
local scientific research institutes. The over 160 national
scientific and academic organizations affiliated to the China
Association for Science and Technology, as well as its branches in
various large and medium-sized cities, are also important forces in
sci-tech research.
The Beijing-based CAS is China's highest academic institute and
comprehensive research center in natural sciences. Its academic
divisions include mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography,
biology, technological sciences, and it has more than 100 research
institutes throughout China. Before 2010, the CAS plans to found
some 80 national research institutes specializing in science and
technology innovation and continuous development, among which 30
will be internationally acknowledged as world-class. There are 707
CAS academicians, the highest lifetime academic title the
government grants in science and technology. The average age of the
51 academicians elected in 2005 was 58.7, the youngest group
ever.
The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) is the highest
honorary, consultative institute in engineering science and
technology, conducting strategic studies of the state's important
engineering-related issues, providing consultation for
decision-making, and promoting the development of engineering
science and technology. There are 704 CAE academicians, including
55 elected in 2005.
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) was
approved by the State Council and founded in February 1986. Its
role is to support basic research and some applied research
projects using government appropriations in line with the state's
guiding principles and sci-tech development policies. Over the past
dozen years, the NSFC has subsidized thousands of diverse research
projects and about 60,000 scientists working in basic research.
