BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will build a cluster of technological innovation bases over the next five years to meet the surging construction demand in the country.

    Sources with the CAS said here Thursday that the innovation bases will cover a wide range of academic subjects, including information technology, space science, advanced energy, nanometers, manufacturing and new materials, health and medicine, agriculture,biology, the environment etc.

    The innovation bases will break through the barriers set by different research categories and institutes and make a better use of current research resources, a CAS official said.

    He also revealed that the CAS will strengthen cooperation with local universities and colleges to promote education on science and research. It will also join hands with enterprises and local governments to boost the regional economy and social development.

    The CAS has launched a Knowledge Innovation Project eight years ago. The project has come up with some interesting research results, including application systems for manned space programs, the key technology for the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, genome and nanometer research findings. Enditem