BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's state-owned defense technology corporation has amalgamated units specializing in information technology, equipment research and development.

    China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) says the amalgamation will enable it to "provide advanced weaponry for IT-based warfare."

    Qian Xuesen, 98, one of China's pioneering, keystone space scientists and a founder of the country's astronautics science, sent a congratulatory letter Wednesday to the ceremony celebrating the founding of the new China Aerospace Science and Industry Academy of Information Technology (CASIC-IT).

    Qian hailed the amalgamation and consequent resource integration of the academy and praised the decision as strengthening China's aerospace information technology.

    The new CASIC-IT has been formed from

    -- the CASIC 8511 research institute in eastern Jiangsu's Nanjing City, which specialized in electronic aerospace defense systems;

    -- the CASIC Measurement and Control Technological Development Company, which is in charge of IT equipment maintenance research and development and missile testing systems;

    -- Beijing Century Satellite, Inc. and

    -- China Aerospace Systems Engineering Corp., among others.

    CASIC General Manager Xu Dazhe said the new academy would be the foundation of a first-class space defense corporation that should "further enhance armament and information levels so as to provide advanced weaponry for IT-based warfare."

    Xu also said greater attention should be paid to IT products for civilian applications utilizing military technology.