The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (www.cas.cn) was founded in Beijing on 1st November 1949 on the basis of the former Academia Sinica (Central Academy of Sciences) and Peiping Academy of Sciences. CAS is a leading academic institution and comprehensive research and development center in natural science, technological science and high-tech innovation in China. Under CAS there are five Academic Divisions, 108 scientific research institutes, over 200 science and technology enterprises,and more than 20 supporting units including one university, one graduate school and five documentation and information centers. The mission of CAS is to conduct research in basic and technological sciences, to undertake nationwide integrated surveys on natural resources and ecological environment, to provide the country with scientific data and advice for governmental decision-making, to undertake government-assigned projects with regard to key S&T problems in the process of social and economic development, to initiate personnel training, and to promote China's high-tech enterprises by its active involvement in these areas.