Nearly 20 popular science writers from China and Britain expressed their strong desire to understand each other at a forum on science popularization Tuesday.

The forum, jointly held by the Chinese Association of Science and Technology (CAST) and the British Embassy in China, is the first of its kind in China, according to Peng Youdong, deputy head of the CAST science popularization department.

Georgina Ferry, a well-known British science writer, said she is eager to learn about popular science writing in China.

Keith Robert Davies, first secretary in charge of culture and science of the British Embassy, also planned to discuss with Peng on Sino-British cooperation in science popularization after the forum.

"Communication with our foreign counterparts is badly needed," said Shi Shunke, a senior translator of scientific stories with CAST.

"We introduced to China foreign concepts like 'public understanding of science', but we cannot fully understand the concepts and the complicated systems behind them owing to limited exchanges," he said.

Peng said although the Chinese Government attaches great importance to science popularization, China still needs to get more people involved in science popularization and strengthen international exchanges.

"CAST is looking for ways to promote international exchanges and cooperation in science popularization, and the forum is a try," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2003)