The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced on Wednesday that it will build 10 interdisciplinary research bases to promote scientific innovation.

The CAS has set up an advisory and review committee to oversee the ambitious plan, which will require several billion yuan in investment. The committee is made up of 21 scientific advisors from government bodies, universities and relevant industries, and is co-chaired by Lu Yongxiang, CAS president, and Zhou Guangzhao, president of the China Association for Science and Technology.

The 10 bases will research information technology, space technology, advanced energy technology, nanotechnology, new materials, life sciences, advanced bioengineering, advanced agriculture, ecological and environmental technology, resource management, and marine biology.

As the state's top think tank in natural scientific research, the CAS has more than 80 research entities that carry out independent studies in different disciplines.

Bai Chunli, CAS' vice president, said: "We need to break down barriers between different disciplines and echo world trends in sharpening interdisciplinary academic competitiveness."

A building outline for the 10 research bases will be worked out in November, Bai said, adding that construction is scheduled to begin in early 2006.

The CAS, which launched its innovation-oriented reform in 1998, has scored outstanding achievements in basic research, hi-tech development and solutions for comprehensive social advancement.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2005)