The ground has been broken on China's first nanoscience and nanotechnology park in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to sources with the park on Monday.
A Taiwan company has invested 1.2 billion yuan (US$146 million) in the park, which will cover 67 hectares in an economic zone. The construction of the first phase of the project is expected to be completed in two years.
The park aims to promote nanometric scientific research and development by setting up a nanometric production base and training personnel in nanotechnology, the sources said.
Nanoscience is widely applied in electronics, metallurgy, the chemical industry and defense. China has made some breakthroughs in the field, and used the technology to prevent mildew on the famous 2,000-year-old terra-cotta horses and warriors of the Qin Dynasty.
(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2003)
