The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to solicited advices from 11 overseas Chinese scholars at a meeting Tuesday.

CAS president Lu Yongxiang briefed the scholars on the academy and its ongoing institutional restructuring.

Since 1998, the CAS has been authorized to carry forward the pilot project of scientific upgrading, which is aimed to give an impetus to the country's economic and social development.

In the past three years, the academy has gone through an organizational reform and adjustment in research areas, Lu said.

In order to further promote the creativity and research ability of the CAS institutes, the academy plans to attract overseas Chinese scholars and foreign experts to work with their Chinese counterparts.

Xie Xiaoliang, a professor at Harvard University, said that Chinese experts should not only follow the international scientific trends but also try to do better than their foreign colleagues.

There are many opportunities for scientific breakthroughs in intersectional areas, and the CAS should organize more researchers in different areas to launch new studies, Xie said.

Meng Liqiu, professor at Munich Technology University, said the CAS should employ stricter appraisal standards for the people they invite. They must have both high academic levels as well as ethical standards, Meng said.

All 11 overseas scholars have made remarkable achievements in their fields and have acquired tenures at worldwide prestigious universities.

(People's Daily 09/06/2001)