Li Jiheng inspects Baotou rare earth research center

By Zhao Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2016-10-27

Li Jiheng, secretary of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC, inspected the Baotou Rare Earth Research and Development Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Baotou on Sept 22.

During the inspection, Li was accompanied by several officials from Baotou, including Wang Zhonghe, secretary of the CPC Baotou municipal committee, and Du Xuejun, mayor of Baotou.

Li Jiheng (third from the left), secretary of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC, along with a group of officials, listens to the introduction of the Baotou Rare Earth Research and Development Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Baotou on Sept 22. [Photo/cas.cn]

Li Jiheng highly praised the achievements that the rare earth center has made through this year, and pointed out that as a focal part of the regional industries, rare earth minerals have played an important role in the strategic development of the whole region. He hoped that the research center can make full use of the rare earth resources in Baotou and utilize the scientific findings of the CAS to transform the rare earth minerals into a high-end leading industry in Inner Mongolia. And the Inner Mongolia government will provide supportive policies and finances to motivate its research and development.

Li Jing, deputy dean of the Beijing Branch of the CAS, briefly introduced the general situation of the scientific and technological cooperation between the CAS and Inner Mongolia, and conveyed his appreciation for support from the Science and Technology Bureau of Inner Mongolia, the local departments concerned, and many other rare earth companies.

Under the guidance of the CAS and the Inner Mongolia government, the Beijing branch will take advantage of all science institutes in the academy to develop Baotou rare earth deposits, and further drive forward the technological innovations, industrial reforms, and updating projects in Baotou, added Li.

Li Jiheng, secretary of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC, along with a group of officials, inspects the Baotou Rare Earth Research and Development Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Baotou on Sept 22. [Photo/cas.cn]

Chi Jianyi, director of the rare earth research center, gave a conclusive report to the visiting officials, mainly about current developments, talent cultivation, and research converted into productivity at the center.

Li Jiheng listened to the introduction, and then exchanged ideas with attending scientists as well as entrepreneurs in the rare earth field.

Conceived in 2013, the Baotou Rare Earth Research and Development Center of the CAS was founded by the Beijing Branch of the CAS, the Science and Technology Bureau of Inner Mongolia, the Baotou government, and the Baotou Steel Group in Baotou on May 12 of 2015. As an incubator for rare earth research, the center has gathered hundreds of talents to conduct innovative and high-tech projects in this industry, with the ambition of boosting the economy across the region.