Basic research has always been one of the major tasks of CAS. Over the more than 50 years since its founding, CAS has gradually branched out to cover many fundamental fields of the natural sciences, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, astronomy, space science, life science, geoscience and environmental science - with nearly 10,000 research professionals and 117 open laboratories (including 50 key State laboratories). At present, there are 29 research institutes (including observatories) covering such fields as physical science, mathematics, mechanics and astronomy; with 31 open laboratories (nine key State laboratories, four State laboratories and 18 CAS open laboratories). Since the beginning of the Sixth Five-Year Plan (1981-1985), with the approval of the Central Government, CAS has established various mega-science facilities, including the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Accelerator, the Hefei Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator, Tokamak and Laser Fusion Device, the 2.16m Optical Astronomical Telescope at the National Astronomical Observatories (in Beijing), the Beijing Solar Magnetic Field Telescope and the Long-wave Chronometer at the Shaanxi Observatory. In the near future, CAS will launch the construction of a third-generation synchrotron radiation facility in Shanghai.

　　 The CAS contingent of basic research professionals, which is noted for its high level of scholarship and equipped with advanced research facilities, is working hard to achieve the national objectives, meet the socio-economic demands, and scale the heights of world science and technology. The research achievements scored by CAS scientists in basic research include mechanical proofs of mathematical theorems, symplectic geometric algorithms for Hamiltonian systems, precise measurements of tau-lepton masses, the synthesis of new nuclides, supernova observation, high-temperature superconductors, the preparation and application of carbon nano-tube arrays, the synthesis of nonlinear optical crystals, and the unraveling of the structures and properties of atomic clusters in transition metals and metallorganic chemicals. In addition, it has made significant contributions to research and development as well as to the strategic buildup of science and technology capacities in such fields as information science, energy sources, mineral resources, medicine, space science and national defense.

　　 To cope with the new era of economic globalization, CAS is implementing the Knowledge Innovation Program (KIP), advocated by Chinese President Jiang Zemin. With the objective of building the Academy into a research center at the world's most advanced level, the KIP is an incubator for high-level scientists and for promoting the development of high-tech industry. Meticulous efforts in the initial phase of the KIP have been devoted to the construction of several innovative centers, such as the Beijing Physical Science Center, the Academy of Mathematics and System Sciences, the National Astronomical Observatory and the Research Center for Theoretical Physics. At present, CAS is applying itself to scaling the heights of world science and technology, and making fundamental, strategic and forward-looking contributions to China's economic reconstruction and sustainable development.

CAS Institutes of Basic Science