This month's newsletter starts with an overview of Chinese leadership's plan to further develop basic research. In science, China starts testing projects for trains that run at 500 km an hour. The Ministry of Science and Technology launches development plan for bio tech industry. The National Space Administration releases its space plan for the next 5 years. In education, China's education spending in 2010 failed to reach the 4% goal again. As Chinese students regi examination, graduate schools face dilemma between efficiency and equality in selecting candidates. In health, WHO warns Chinese public of misleading tobacco industry research on low-tar cigarette.

This month's newsletter starts with an overview of the 3 model science cooperation projects mentioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology in its 12th Five Year Plan on S&T Cooperation. November also sees the successful return of China's Shenzhou 8 to earth after docking with China's space station Tiangong-1. Also in S&T, China issues a white paper on climate change. The Chinese State Council decided to spend RMB 5.5 billion to clean up the heavily polluted underground water. In education, 2011 China Education Expo attracts a total of 66,000 students interested in studying abroad. China's education ministry launched a controversial policy of closing down college majors that don't have good employment prospect. The Chinese ministries decided to launch 12 projects to nurture and attract top talents.

This month's newsletter starts with a review of China's 5 Year Plan for International Science and Technology Cooperation. During October, Chinas Statistics Bureau released data for 2010 S&T expenditure. China tries to battle trash journals in pursuit of more quality papers. Chinese authorities decided to cut nuclear targets after Fukushima. China's mega science facility Spallation Neutron Sources started construction in Guangdong. China launched deep earth exploration to fill resource gap. In health, experts warn that antibiotics have been heavily overused in China. No methods are proven effective in detecting “gutter oil” so far, which frustrated the Ministry of Health.

This month's newsletter starts with an editorial on China's plan to further advance basic research. Also in this month, the test module of Tiangong-1 space station was successfully launched, marking a concrete step in China's space science research. In education, migrant's schools were forced to close despite the facts that children of migrants struggled to find education opportunities. China Scholarship Council offers more scholarship opportunities in 2012. In health, grassroot doctors in rural. areas might open their official clinics. Chinese scientist Dr. Tu Youyou was awarded Lasker Award, “precursor to the Nobel Prize”.

As the new academic year begins, this month's newsletter starts with an analysis on a new phenomenon in Chinese top university: decreasing number of rural students. Also in this month, Shanghai Jiaotong University releases the 2011 Academic Ranking of World University, the Ministry of Railway decided to slow down bullet trains after the Wenzhou train collision, the Ministry of Science and Technology releases new development plans for university-based high-tech start-ups and new plan to attract returnees. Beijing will soon give ok for new nuclear plants. In health, Chinese experts call for more funding support for lung cancer tests.

This month's newsletter starts with a policy briefing of the new guideline of China's National Torch Hi-tech Industrialization Program, which emphasizes on industry cluster, talents and international cooperation. Also in this month, the tragic train collision accident in China raised question on the country's ambitious high-speed railway plan. Pilot projects on electrical taxi showed that electrical cars are still tough to develop in China. China's submersible Jiaolong reaches depth of 5,057 meters this month in a test dive. In education, increasing number of Chinese universities found themselves troubled by debts due to expansion. Chinese government promises to increase university enrolment rate for Tibetan students. In health, Guangzhou Province tried to challenge the one-child policy.

This month's newsletter starts with an analysis on the decreasing number of high school graduates taking the “College Entrance Examination”, the reasons behind and the way forward. In science and technology, audit report found China's Key Science and Technology Project plagued by fraud and accounting misconducts. China establishes the first national gene bank in Shenzhen. The Ministry of Railway decided to lower the speed of the High Speed Train. In Health, China plans to equip local clinics with qualified general practitioners by 2012. Also, the Ministry of Health denied that it had lowered dairy standards.

This month's newsletter includes an analysis of foreign universities' offshore investment in China, interests and doubts from the government side and the challenges universities usually face in China. In science and technology, the bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai will start to operate in July. Tibet is set to become a leading solar power base in China. Chinese government finally admits problems with three gorges dam following severe drought in southern China. In education, reform pioneer South China University of Science and Technology is now clashing with existing education system in China. Other universities face decreasing number of applicants throughout the nation. In health, the first law to ban smoking in public was passed in Harbin, a city in Northeast China.

The month of April was marked by the official visit of Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs (including Science, Education, Health and Culture) to China, where he met with State Councilor Liu Yandong, the Ministers or Vice-Ministers of Science & Technology, Education and Health as well as with various institutions in order to deepen the Sino Swiss Science and Technology Cooperation. This month's newsletter starts with an analysis of the Ministry of Science and Technology's budget for 2011. Also in this month, Tsinghua University celebrates its 100 years anniversary amongst doubts and critics. In science, nuclear crisis in Japan didn't stop China from advancing nuclear technologies. China is also planning to have its own space station by 2020. In health, recent food security scandals have led the Ministry of Health to vow greater efforts to safeguard food security.

With the “two sessions” concluded, this month's newsletter starts with a quick overview of China's science and education outlook set in the 12th Five-Year-Plan. Also in this month, scientists in China are hoping for funding reform; China decides to suspend nuclear plant approvals following the nuclear crisis in Japan, IPR protection is to be strengthened to support innovation. In education, more technicians are needed in light of economic restructuring. Ministry of Education releases the updated number of foreign students in China for 2010. In health, Chinese scientists developed therapeutic apparatus for Parkinson's disease.

The first monthly editorial in the year of the rabbit provides some insights to the Ministry of Science and Technology's annual meeting, where priorities for 2011 were set. Also in this month's edition of the Newsletter, China's 3 top university alliances held their joint entrance exams; Ministry of Education released a plan to train “top-notch students” in basic research fields; Chinese Academy of Sciences released its 8 strategies for the next five years; Chinese Academy of Engineering released a report on China's Energy Strategy. Nature reports on a recent case in China where the Science Ministry revoked a national science award on the ground of academic fraud. Health Minister promised lower costs on healthcare services. We wish you a nice reading and appreciate your comments and questions!

January 2011 marks the first month of China's 12th Five-Year-Plan. This month's newsletter provides a preview of Beijing's science and technology development plan in 2011-2015. At the beginning of 2011, China released top 10 scientific progresses in 2010, awarded top scientists in national science and technology conference. China claimed to have achieved breakthrough in nuclear technology. Also in science, the government announces new policies to spur software, integrated circuit industries. In education, East China Normal University and New York University are to build the first Sino-U.S. coestablished international university in China. In health, the Health Ministry vowed to double medical insurance premium for rural residents. This month also notes the new round of call for proposal for Sino- Swiss Science and Technology Cooperation Program.