The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS; ) is the

national academy A national academy is an organizational body, usually operating with state financial support and approval, that co-ordinates scholarly research activities and standards for academic disciplines, and serves as a public policy advisors, research ...

for

natural science Natural science or empirical science is one of the branches of science concerned with the description, understanding and prediction of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Mechanisms such as peer ...

s and the highest consultancy for science and technology of the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

. It is the world's largest research organization, with 106 research institutes, 2 universities, 71,300 full-time employees, and 79 thousand graduate students. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has historical origins in the Academia Sinica during the Republican era and was formerly also known by that name until the 1980s. The academy functions as the national scientific

think tank A think tank, or public policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governme ...

and academic governing body, providing advisory and appraisal services on issues stemming from the national economy, social development, and science and technology progress. It is headquartered in

Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...

, with affiliate institutes throughout China. It has also created hundreds of commercial enterprises, Lenovo being one of the most famous. The academy also runs the

University of Science and Technology of China The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is a public university in Hefei, China. It is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education of the People' ...

and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, both of which were among the world's top three academic institutions in the Nature Index rankings as of 2024.

Membership

Membership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also known by the title Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (), is a lifelong honor given to Chinese scientists who have made significant achievements in various fields. According to the ''Bylaws for Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences'' adopted in 1992 and recently amended in the year 2014, it is the highest academic title in China. A formal CAS member must hold Chinese citizenship, although foreign citizens may be elected as CAS foreign academicians. Members older than 80 are designated as "senior members" and may no longer hold leading positions in the organization. Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences carry an obligation to advance science and technology, to advocate and uphold scientific spirit, to develop a scientific and technological workforce, to attend member meetings and receive consultation and evaluation tasks, and to promote international exchanges and cooperation. Academicians can give suggestions and influence Chinese state policy related to science and technology.

History

In 1956, China formally began its computing program when it launched the Twelve-Year Science Plan and formed the Beijing Institute of Computing Technology under the CAS. In 1964, CAS debuted China's first self-developed large digital computer, the 119. The 119 was a core technology in facilitating China's first successful nuclear weapon test ( Project 596), also in 1964. Beginning in 1972, CAS began promoting the idea of balancing applied research with more theoretical research and in having scientific exchanges with other developing countries. As vice premier,

Deng Xiaoping Deng Xiaoping also Romanization of Chinese, romanised as Teng Hsiao-p'ing; born Xiansheng (). (22 August 190419 February 1997) was a Chinese statesman, revolutionary, and political theorist who served as the paramount leader of the People's R ...

in 1975 also sought to re-orient CAS towards more theoretical research, which had not been a focus during the

Cultural Revolution The Cultural Revolution, formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, was a Social movement, sociopolitical movement in the China, People's Republic of China (PRC). It was launched by Mao Zedong in 1966 and lasted until his de ...

. Deng emphasized that "the Academy of Sciences is an Academy of Sciences, not an Academy of Cabbage." Deng assigned CAS vice president

Hu Yaobang Hu Yaobang (20 November 1915 – 15 April 1989) was a Chinese politician who was a high-ranking official of the People's Republic of China. He held the Leader of the Chinese Communist Party, top office of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from ...

to draft a plan for overhauling CAS. Deng and his aide Hu Qiaomu revised the draft and in September 1974 issued "The Outline Report on the Work of the Academy of Sciences". The Outline described scientific research in China as lagging behind the needs of socialist construction and the state of the advanced countries, and stated that to catch up, China should emphasize basic science in order to develop a sound theoretical foundation. This approach to scientific reform fell out of political favor in 1976 when Deng was purged, although it continued to be supported by many members within CAS. A month before Deng's political return in 1977 however, the Outline Report was revived and adopted as CAS's official policy. Shortly after his return, Deng hosted a series of meetings on science and education in which he stated that science should become the forerunner of China's modernization. Following these remarks, CAS prepared its goals for natural science disciplines to be achieved by 1985, stating that as a developing socialist country, China should strengthen basic scientific research through foreign exchanges. To further promote this agenda, Deng began a campaign to promote the National Science Conference. A team led by CAS vice president Fang Yi instructed schools, factories, and communes to organize youth-focused events celebrating science and technology. In 1977, the Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences was split off of CAS and reorganized into the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and led by Hu Qiaomu. The Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was established in 2001 as a successor to the Graduate School of the University of Science and Technology of China (Beijing).The Ministry of Education (MOE) approved the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) application to change its name to the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) on July 23, 2012. Additionally, the MOE recommended that CAS discontinue the operation of the CAS Graduate School. In 2023, the

Pasteur Institute The Pasteur Institute (, ) is a French non-profit private foundation dedicated to the study of biology, micro-organisms, diseases, and vaccines. It is named after Louis Pasteur, who invented pasteurization and vaccines for anthrax and rabies. Th ...

suspended ties with CAS.

Organization

The Chinese Academy of Sciences maintains a large number of subordinate institutions nationwide.

Internal Organizations

According to the "Regulations on Functional Configuration, Internal Organizations and Staffing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)", CAS has set up the following constitute departments at its headquarters: * Office of the Chinese Academy of Sciences * Bureau of Academic Departments * Bureau of Frontier Science and Basic Research * Bureau of Major Science and Technology Tasks * Bureau of Sustainable Development Research * Bureau of Science and Technology Basic Capabilities * Development Planning Bureau * Finance and Asset Management Bureau * Personnel Bureau * Party Committee of the Immediate Organs * Bureau of International Cooperation * Bureau of Supervision and Audit * Bureau of Retired Cadres Work

Directly Affiliated Institutions

Research Units Directly Affiliated to

= Beijing units

= * Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science *

Institute of Physics The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a UK-based not-for-profit learned society and professional body that works to advance physics education, physics research, research and applied physics, application. It was founded in 1874 and has a worldwide ...

= Shenyang Branch

* Institute of Metals * Shenyang Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Institute of Oceanography, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

= Changchun Branch

= * Changchun Institute of Optical Precision Machinery and Physics * Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry * Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences ** Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences * National Astronomical Observatory Changchun Artificial Satellite Observatory

= Shanghai Branch

Shanghai_65-meter_Tianma_Radio_Telescope

= Nanjing Branch

* Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology * Nanjing Institute of Soil Research * Nanjing Institute of Geography and Lakes *

Purple Mountain Observatory The Purple Mountain Observatory (), also known as Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory, is an astronomical observatory located on the Purple Mountain in the east of Nanjing. The observatory is responsible for calculating the official Chinese calen ...

* Suzhou Institute of Nanotechnology and Nanobionics * Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology * Ganjiang Innovation Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Enterprise units directly under the Chinese Academy of Sciences

The enterprise units directly under the Chinese Academy of Sciences are wholly owned or controlled by Chinese Academy of Sciences State-owned Assets Management Co. * Chinese Academy of Sciences Holdings Limited * Legend Holdings * China Science Industrial Group (Holdings) Limited * Oriental Science and Technology Holding Group Limited * China Science & Technology Publishing & Media Group * China Science and Technology Industry Investment Management * Beijing Zhongke Keji * Beijing CAS Software Center * Chinese Academy of Sciences Architectural Design and Research Institute * Beijing Zhongke Resources * Shenyang Institute of Computing Technology * Shenyang Scientific Instrument * Nanjing Astronomical Instrument * Guangzhou Chemistry * Guangzhou Electronic Technology * Chengdu Organic Chemistry * Chengdu Information Technology * Chinese Academy of Sciences Science and Technology Services * Shanghai Bike Clean Energy Technology * Shenzhen CAS Intellectual Property Investment * Guoke Jiahe (Beijing) Investment Management * Guoke Health Biotechnology * Chinese Academy of Sciences Innovation Incubation Investment * Guoke Health Management * Beijing Konowei Technology * Guoke Quantum Communication Network * Kasma Holdings

Co-builders

Shanghai Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...

: Shanghai University of Science and Technology * China National Petroleum Corporation: Institute of Seepage Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences * China National Nuclear Corporation: China Institute of Atomic Energy Science * Shanghai Censhan Botanical Garden * Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Guangxi Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Ministry of Water Resources: Institute of Water Engineering and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Jiangxi Province: Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Jiangsu Province: Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiangsu Province *

Shaanxi Province Shaanxi is a province in north Northwestern China. It borders the province-level divisions of Inner Mongolia to the north; Shanxi and Henan to the east; Hubei, Chongqing, and Sichuan to the south; and Gansu and Ningxia to the west. Shaanxi ...

: Qinling National Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Guangdong Province: Shenzhen University of Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Xianhu Botanical Garden * Ministry of Education: Research Center for Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences * Major Special Project Center of National Bureau of Defense Science, Technology and Industry (NDSTI)

Groups and Other Organizations

* CAS Leading Group Office of Network Security and Informatization * Women's Working Committee of Chinese Academy of Sciences * CAS Youth League Committee * Trade Union of the Chinese Academy of Sciences * Association of Old Science and Technology Workers of the Chinese Academy of Sciences * Federation of Literature and Art of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Scientific integrity

On 26 February 2007, CAS published a ''Declaration of Scientific Ideology'' and set up a commission for scientific integrity to promote transparency, autonomy and accountability of scientific research in the country. Around that same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology also initiated measures to address misconduct in state-funded programs. CAS also publishes the Early Warning List, which notes journals with a lack of rigor and possible predatory practices.

Publications

Together with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the academy publishes the

peer-reviewed Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work ( peers). It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer review ...

academic journal An academic journal (or scholarly journal or scientific journal) is a periodical publication in which Scholarly method, scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. They serve as permanent and transparent forums for the ...

, ''Science China'' (also known as ''Science in China''). ''Science China'' comprises seven series: * A: Mathematics * B: Chemistry * C: Life Sciences * D: Earth Sciences * E: Technological Sciences * F: Information Sciences * G: Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy CAS also promotes the ''China Open Access Journals'' (COAJ) platform, a national variant of the international Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

Awards

Since 1999, the CAS has issued the annual State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, presented by the President of China to the recipient.

Ranking and reputation

CAS has been ranked the No. 1 research institute in the world by Nature Index since the list's inception in 2014 by Nature Portfolio. It was the most productive institution publishing articles on sustainable development indexed in the Web of Science from 1981 to 2018 among all universities and research institutions in the world. The academy also runs the

and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, both of which were among the world's top three universities in the Nature Index ranking as of 2024. In 2024,

Clarivate Clarivate Plc is a British-American Public company, publicly traded analytics company that operates a collection of subscription business model, subscription-based services, in the areas of bibliometrics and scientometrics; business intelligenc ...

's Highly Cited Researchers list contained 308 CSA members. This made CSA researchers the largest group on the list by institution, and the sixth largest by country.

International cooperation

The Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth is a branch of CAS. The Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth was a customer of Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), which provides data transmission services from satellites for a wide range of societal functions. It was reported by Reuters on 21 September 2020 that SSC decided not to renew the contracts with China to help operate Chinese satellites from SSC's ground stations, or seek new business with China.

References

Citations

Sources

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chinese Academy of Sciences 1949 establishments in China

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

Schools in Xicheng District Scientific organizations established in 1949 Universities and colleges established in 1949 Universities and colleges in Beijing

Membership

History

Organization

Internal Organizations

Directly Affiliated Institutions

Research Units Directly Affiliated to

= Beijing units

= Shenyang Branch

= Changchun Branch

= Shanghai Branch

= Nanjing Branch

= Wuhan Branch

= Guangzhou Branch

= Chengdu Branch

= Kunming Branch

= Xi'an Branch

= Lanzhou Branch

= Xinjiang Branch

Directly under the higher education institutions

Direct Management and Public Support Units

Direct News Publishing Units

Other Directly Affiliated Institutions