China establishes research centre

China has set up a huge natural science and high technology innovation research centre to supportthe country's fast-growing economic and social development strategies.

The centre willbe under the direction of the Chinese Academy ofSciences, the country's top scientific research body. In its new guise, the CAS will carry out a structural reform of science and technology policy, construct a state library ofscientific knowledge and a register ofgifted scientists by 2010.

Early next year, the centre will runa pilot project to establish its "knowledge innovationprogramme" across China.

The centre also plans to mobiliseits 600 academicians to assist with ascientific information and consulting system to assist national strategic decision-making in the field.