A Milestone in Cooperation: Chinese Academy, AAAS Release Science Translations

Image © and courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and AAAS have completed the first major project planned as part of their growing bi-lateral cooperation, a collection of 31 major papers that were first published in Science and then translated into Chinese.

The book was released during a ceremony and news conference on 7 May at the Academy's headquarters in Beijing. Published by China Science Press, it features high-impact Science papers from the past decade; the papers were selected by distinguished committees from AAAS and CAS that included Science editors and CAS scholars, who also were critical to ensuring the quality of the translations. The articles represent fields such as cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedicine, chemistry, and materials science.

The publishing project emerged from extended discussions, culminating last September in a memorandum of understanding signed by Academy President Lu Yongxiang and AAAS Chief Executive Officer Alan I. Leshner at a meeting in Beijing.

With China emerging as an engine of world research and development, AAAS leaders have seen it as vital for the global scientific enterprise to establish a constructive, long-term engagement with its S&T leaders and organizations. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, founded in 1949, oversees 108 scientific research institutes, over 200 science and technology enterprises, a university, a graduate school and various other units, and it publishes more than 200 journals.

Lu and Leshner hailed the book's release as a benefit to global science education and as an augur of future cooperative ventures between the Academy and AAAS.

"This achievement is a milestone of the cooperation between CAS and AAAS, and will definitely inspire and promote the innovative research of Chinese young scientists," Lu wrote in a letter to Leshner. "...I look forward to more collaborative opportunities between our two organizations."

Leshner, who also serves as executive publisher of Science, wrote to Lu: "I hope this book will lead to more cutting-edge and innovative science and challenge the minds of those who read it.... It is a true indication of the strong relationship that exists between our organizations, and demonstrates the enormous potential for our other collaborative efforts."

The ceremony was led by CAS Vice Secretary General Tan Tieniu. AAAS was represented by Chief International Officer Vaughan Turekian and Tom Wang, director for International Cooperation.

The five people at the dais are (l-r): Cao Jinghua, deputy director-general, Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Vaughan Turekian, AAAS chief international officer; Tan Tieniu, vice secretary-general, CAS; Liu Fengsong, deputy director, General Office of Academic Divisions, CAS; Dr. Feng Li, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Science Press.

Edward W. Lempinen

28 May 2008