BEIJING, April 9 -- Li Zongjin, a professor of HKUST Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, was recently appointed by China's Ministry of Science and Technology as the chief scientist for a 30-million-HK-dollar research project on concrete. The project is part of the National Basic Research Program, which is also known as the "973 Program."

    Li will work together with 54 scientists from both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong to conduct relevant research. The research will help solve the drawbacks of contemporary concrete including premature cracking and short service life so as to make buildings capable of resisting environmental erosion and have increased durability.

    The National Basic Research Program was initiated in March 1997, so it is also called the "973 Program."

    (Source: People's Daily Online)