The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)is planning to establish a research institute to study the ecological and geological evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,the Beijing-based newspaper Science Times reported Friday.

On August 26-27,CAS held an international seminar in Beijing to solicit opinions on the establishment of the institute.Thirty prestigious scientists from China and abroad were in attendance.

Chen Yiyu,vice president of CAS,said the study of formation and evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its influence on the global environment is of great importance.

The institute will also study the biological genetic resources on the plateau,Chen said.The institute is expected to be developed into an international research center that will also provide support to foreign scientists,he added.

The institute will be constructed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,enabling researchers to gather raw data and research samples,according to the newspaper.

( eastday.com August 31, 2002)