The "International Conference on Ecological Environment and Regional Development of Altai Mountainous Area" Convened

With the active participation and joint efforts of the specialists from China, Russia, People's Republic of Mongolia, and Republic of Kazakstan around the Altai mountainous area, the "International Conference on Ecological Environment and Regional Development of Altai mountainous area" was opened on June 26th 2004.

On July 6, CAS member Yongxiang Lu, had a meeting in Russia with Mezentser, Vice-chairman of the Russian Federal Committee. The President of CAS and the President of Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) signed the Memorandum of Cooperation in Priority Areas

The Altai Mountain that is extending continuously for more than 2000km links China, Russia, People's Republic of Mongolia, Republic of Kazakstan, in the hinterland of Asia-Europe continent, maintains a perfect ancient northern boundary Europe_Siberia biota and typical mountainous region forest-river-lake ecosystem. Today, this area is a scientific site and also a huge "natural laboratory", which are difficult to acquire, where they can work at ecological environment evolution and regional development. The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geographic is the nearest institute to Russia, People's Republic of Mongolia, Republic of Kazakstan, and to the countries of mid and western Asia. For a long period of time the Institute has established a good relationship of scientific and technological cooperation with all friendly neighboring countries to the north and west of Xinjiang.

Sino-Italian Symposium on Marine Geology and Environmental Protection Held

The Sino-Italian Symposium on Marine Geology and Marine Environmental Protection was held in Qingdao on June 28 to 30. Researchers in Marine geological process and paleo-environment laboratory of Institute of Oceanology and scientific researchers from Italian National Institute of Marine Science attended the meeting.