The Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) recently announced the 2013 development plan of the key humanities and social sciences research bases. Between 2012 and 2015, MOE plans on building 100 key research bases and 20 social science laboratories on themes like economics, society, politics, diplomatic relations, law and national defense. To implement the “Action Plan for Education in the 21st …
China’s bio-engineered-based materials
The story about China’s need for resources and materials is nothing new, but the country’s approach to create biomaterials and organic fibers on the other hand is. GMO as solution to increase and optimize output of wood and bamboo plantations is now commonly used in China. Asia Pulp & Paper workers classify 3-month-old Acacias in Dingan, northeast of Hainan province, …
Hong Kong PolyU and China Academy of Space Technology set up joint lab
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has just signed an agreement with the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) to set up a joint laboratory in Mechanics and Space Environment Engineering. This follows other agreements for a joint laboratory in Precision Engineering for Space Applications and collaboration on the development of a space tool to collect lunar rock samples. Through …
Baidu working on a Google Glass competitor?
Is Chinese search giant Baidu working on a answer to Google’s Glass? For a few days rumors about a “Baidu Eye” appeared to be an April Fool’s joke, but now the company has confirmed it is actually working on the development of a pair of “smart glasses”. According to Kaiser Kuo, the director of International Communication, Baidu Eye is still …
How diabetes influences the maternity
A recent Chinese study found the cause and proof for the effect of diabetic mothers on the maternity. Previous studies have revealed that offspring of diabetic mothers display a higher incidence of malformations and fetal death, even when a one-cell embryo is transplanted from a diabetic to a non-diabetic mother. Diabetic mothers’ oocytes tend to exhibit reduced glucose metabolism, compromised …
China launches new funding round for S&T cooperation with Europe
The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) recently announced the 2013 round of the China-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Program. The ministry will make max. 3 million RMB (approx. EUR 370.000) available for EU-China cooperation projects to support the development of joint innovation centers, incubators, and cooperation platforms, from research and development to demonstration and the translation of research …
Research on Beidou’s Global Coverage Started
China announced that it has started research works to expand coverage and services of Beidou, its domestically developed satellite navigation system, from the current Asia-Pacific region (read our previous report here)to the entire globe. It is expected the first experiment satellite for Beidou’s global coverage will be launched by the end of 2014, followed by three or four more others …
Super nano-tube carbon fibers by Teijin Aramid (Netherlands)
Researchers at Teijin Aramid (Netherlands) and Rice University (USA) published their research on a new generation of super fibres in the leading scientific journal Science. For the first time in history it is possible to spin carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a fibre that has very high thermal and electrical conductivity as well as good textile properties. “This new combination of …
China’s internet is a giant shopping mall
The spending power of China’s rising middle class is changing the global retail landscape. After increasing by 55% last year to $194 billion, China’s total online retail spending this year could surpass that of the U.S., making the mainland the world’s largest online shopping market. Check out this infographic to find out how much the average Chinese consumer spends via …
BGI and Tencent land on MIT’s 50 disruptive companies list
MIT Technology Review has just released its list of 2013′s 50 most disruptive companies. Shenzhen-based companies BGI and Tencent have both made it to this year’s list, along with the likes of Apple, Illumina, Google, and Philips. Both companies also made it to the top 10 most innovative companies in China that we reported on earlier this month. The magazine …