At the invitation of Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT, Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica) of Chile as represented by Mr. Mateo Budinich, President of CONICYT, Mr. Gonzalo Arenas Sepulveda, Director of International Relations Program of CONICYT, Ms. Karen Molina, Deputy Director of Directorate of Energy, Science,Technology and Innovation, Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Eduardo Silva Besa, Consul and Second Secretary Embassy of Chile visited NAOC on December 2, 2013.
In the meeting, CONICYT delegation and the representative of NAOC exchanged and discussed the development and future plans for China-Chile Joint Center for Astronomy (CCJCA) and its operation in Chile. Mr. Mateo Budinich expressed that CONICYT will give full support to China-Chile Joint Center for Astronomy and its smooth operation in Chile, and, in particular, promote its future cooperation not only with Chilean University but also with Chilean astronomical community. The CONICYT delegation also visited the Beijing Office of CCJCA. Dr. Suijian Xue, Deputy Director-General of NAOC, Dr. Di Li, the scientist of FAST project, Dr. Jun Pan, Division Director for Scientific Planning, and Dr. Yanchun Liang, Division Director for International Cooperation of NAOC joined the meeting.
CCJCA is one of CAS Joint Centers for its international science cooperation with the developing countries. Its inauguration ceremony was held on October 4, 2013, in Chile attended by Prof. BAI Chunli, President of CAS, and Mr. Mateo Budinich, President of CONICYT. While its Beijing Office formally opened on March 1 2013, at NAOC. It aims to further promote China’s astronomical research with the aid of Chile’s excellent observation location.
