Information technology and computerized networks have greatly helped Chinese social scientists carry out pioneering academic research.

Li Tieying, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), vowed Monday to launch a digital upgrade for the nation's top research body in social sciences.

Li said that by the end of 2005, the CASS should have completed its computerized network covering its all research institutes. All CASS researchers can easily use the advanced system with access to the Internet.

In 2001, the CASS invested money into building ten production lines for discs, with content of academic books or thesis papers. The CASS information office has uploaded more than 130,000 social scientific books onto its official websites.

In the past year, the CASS joined the global online library consortium through which Chinese researchers could check the most advanced information in the social sciences.

In 2002, Li said, CASS plans to build its own digital library.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2002)