The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) made achievements in 2003 in six major areas, which includes researches into crucial issues, publishing of research findings, and major academic subject construction.

Chen Kuiyuan, CASS president, said Wednesday that CASS set up 110 research projects on important issues, in addition to another 63 projects which have gained national financial support. Besides, CASS was entrusted by central and local governments and organizations to carry out 91 projects.

Incomplete statistics show that last year CASS published 339 monographs, 3,653 theses, and 799 research reports.

Since China increased its financial support to major academic subject research, the CASS has now set up 99 projects on major subjects, Chen said. By continuing a quarterly report of research results and advance notice of activities, CASS organized 52 exchange activities each with more than 50 people attending.

A total of 53 young research staff were supported with specific funds to publish their research findings. So far, a book specially designed for young working staff with CASS has included 38 kinds of monographs. Apart from that, CASS, with a view to better construct the academic subjects, invited 31 overseas returned students for post-doctoral study.

In the meantime, CASS signed 76 academic exchange agreements with 44 countries and regions, dispatching 81 visiting scholars for long-term overseas studies.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2004)