BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced here Wednesday that it is going to build 10 interdisciplinary research bases to promote scientific innovation.

    The CAS also set up an advisory and review committee for the ambitious plan, which will require several billion yuan in investment.

    The 10 bases will research information technology, space technology, advanced energy technology, nanotechnology and other new materials, life sciences, advanced bioengineering, advanced agriculture, ecological and environmental technology, resources and marine biology.

    As the state's top think tank in natural scientific research, the CAS has more than 80 research entities which carry out independent studies in different disciplines.

    Bai Chunli, CAS vice president, said, "We need to break down barriers between different disciplines and echo world trends in sharpening inter-disciplinary academic competitiveness."

    To avail of international expertise, the CAS invited 21 authoritative scientific advisors from governmental bodies, universities and industries, and formed the advisory and review committee, which is chaired Lu Yongxiang, CAS president, and Zhou Guangzhao, president of the China Association for Science and Technology.

    An outline for building the 10 research bases will be worked out in November, Bai said, adding that the plan is scheduled to begin in early 2006.

    The CAS, which launched its innovation-oriented reform in 1998,has scored outstanding achievements in basic research, hi-tech development and solutions for comprehensive social advancement. Enditem