Science & technology in China : a roadmap to 2050 : strategic general report of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

This general report, sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, presents a panoramic scenario for China's modernization drive to 2050. It analyzes the evolution and laws governing the development of science and technology, describes the decisive impact of science and technology on the modernization process, predicts that the world is on the eve of an impending S & T revolution, and calls for China to be fully prepared for this new round of S & T advancement. Based on its detailed study of the demands on S & T innovation in China's modernization, it draws a framework for eight basic and strategic systems of socio-economic development with the support of science and technology, works out China's S & T roadmaps for the relevant eight basic and strategic systems in line with China's reality, further details S & T initiatives of strategic importance to China's modernization, and provides S & T decision-makers with comprehensive consultations for the development of S & T innovation consistent with China's reality. Supported by illustrations and tables of data, the general report provides researchers, government officials and even entrepreneurs with guidance concerning research directions, the planning process, and investment. It also serves as a preamble for the eighteen detailed field-specific reports of the committees assigned to craft roadmaps for each sphere of development. Founded in 1949, the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the nation's highest academic institution in the natural sciences. Its major responsibilities are to conduct research in basic and technological sciences, to undertake nationwide integrated surveys on natural resources and ecological environment, to provide the country with scientific data and consultations for government's decision-makings, to undertake government-assigned projects with regard to key S & T problems in the process of socio-economic development, to initiate personnel training, and to promote China's high-tech enterprises through its active engagement in these areas China's modernization is viewed as a transformative revolution in the human history of modernization. As such, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) decided to give higher priority to the research on the science and technology (S & T) roadmap for priority areas in China's modernization process. What is the purpose? And why is it? Is it a must? I think those are substantial and signifcant questions to start things forward. Significance of the Research on China's S & T Roadmap to 2050 We are aware that the National Mid- and Long-term S & T Plan to 2020 has already been formed afer two years' hard work by a panel of over 2000 experts and scholars brought together from all over China, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao. Tis clearly shows that China has already had its S & T blueprint to 2020. Ten, why did CAS conduct this research on China's S & T roadmap to 2050? In the summer of 2007 when CAS was working out its future strategic priorities for S & T development, it realized that some issues, such as energy, must be addressed with a long-term view. As a matter of fact, some strategic researches have been conducted, over the last 15 years, on energy, but mainly on how to best use of coal, how to best exploit both domestic and international oil and gas resources, and how to develop nuclear energy in a discreet way. Renewable energy was, of course, included but only as a supplementary energy Front Matter....Pages i-xx Introduction....Pages 1-6 The World is at the Eve of a New S&T Revolution....Pages 7-27 The New S&T Revolution Provides Historical Opportunities for China’s Modernization....Pages 28-41 China’s Eight Basic and Strategic Systems for Socio-economic Development....Pages 42-91 Twenty-two S&T Initiatives of Strategic Importance to China’s Modernization....Pages 92-114 S&T Innovation with Chinese Characteristics....Pages 115-138