International Cooperation

China-Chile Joint Center for Astronomy Opens in Beijing

On Feb. 1, the opening ceremony of China-Chile Joint Center for Astronomy was held at the National Astronomical Observatory, CAS in Beijing. CAS Vice President Zhan Wenlong and Chilean Ambassador to China Mr. Luis Schmidt addressed and jointly opened the Center at the ceremony. An MOU between the CAS and CONICYT was signed in August 2012, initiating the idea of establishing such a joint center for astronomy, right after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Chile in July. Being a CAS overseas research unit, the joint center, through collaboration with CONICYT and Chilean universities, will serve as a long-standing stable platform for astronomical collaboration between China and Chile, as well as other South American countries for the mutual benefits of both sides.