CAE Members and experts go to Xinjiang to conduct technological consultations

From July 30 to August 7, an experts group consisting of President Xu Kuangdi and more than 20 CAE members went to Xinjiang by invitation to conduct technological consultations concerning such issues as developing and protecting agriculture and water and soil resources in the Yili River watershed of Xinjiang, and building Xinjiang into an important energy base and a land route for the country s energy security.
Wang Lequan, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and secretary of the Party committee of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, pointed out in the ceremony inaugurating this project that Xinjiang requires highly talented people and advanced technology to use its superior resources to transform itself and develop new-type industrialization. He expressed the hope that the CAE would provide energetic support, and that with the help of the academicians appeal, the state will further strengthen Xinjiang s development.
Between July 31 and August 5, the CAE members and experts divided into four groups and made field investigations in both south and north Xinjiang. The consultation group of the Yili River Watershed Project investigated the state agricultural science park and technological enterprises in Jichang and visited projects like the water conservation hub on the Takanqiapuqi River in the Yili region, the huge canal south of the river and the trunk canal north of it. The petroleum and natural gas chemistry group investigated in Bayin guoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture and Akesu region the Ku erle economic development zone, the first gas transport station from the west to the east, the Tahe Oilfield of the northwest petroleum bureau, the Layisu Petrochemical Industry Park, the Kuche Chemistry Park, and the Tahe branch of Sinopec. The number two petroleum and natural gas chemistry group investigated some enterprises in the development area in Midong, the Kuitun Dushanzi Petrochemical Industry Park, the Dushanzi Major Ethylene Project, the Karamay Oilfield and refineries. The coal and power chemistry group investigated in Fukang, Qitai and Tuokesxun, the proposed site of a heavy chemistry park, 500 reservoir, the General Temple coal chemistry park and the Black Mountain mining area. The members and experts gained a detailed understanding of the present state of development of the related regions, industries, sectors and projects, the existing problems and the local s philosophy of work in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan period in the areas in which they conducted consultations. They discussed important development issues with local leaders and engineers, gave counsel on local economic and social development, and made many valuable suggestions.
On August 7, the four consultation groups gave feedback to the autonomous region on the technological viewpoints they formed through their investigations, research and analysis. The CAE will suggest to the state that Xinjiang be designated a key model region of the country for scientific, rational development of energy sources and resources.
In addition, CAE members Hu Jianyi, Xie Kechang and Wang Hao held a technical report meeting on August 6.