THE OPENING CEREMONY of the

CENTRE FOR EARTH OBSERVATION AND DIGITAL EARTH,
CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
 

The plaque unveiling ceremony for the Center for Earth Observations and Digital Earth (CEODE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was held on 21 November 2007 in Beijing. The event brought together more than 500 high-calibre officials and prestigious scholars from government departments, research institutes, universities and international organizations, including CAS Vice President JIANG Mianheng, Vice Minister of Science and Technology CAO Jianlin, China National Space Administration SUN Laiyan, former Minister of Science and Technology XU Guanhua, and CEO of the Australian CRC for Spatial Information Peter Woodgate. At the ceremony, Prof Xu and Dr Woodgate also unveiled the plaque for the Joint Centre for Spatial Information between CRCSI and CEODE, under a memorandum of cooperation.

By sticking to the philosophy of a small centre with a large network, CEODE will be made up of four components: a Satellite Remote Sensing Center, an Airborne Remote Sensing Center, a Spatial Data Center, and the Laboratory of Digital Earth Sciences, according to Prof. GUO Huadong, Director of the new Center and Deputy Secretary-General of the CAS.

                      
Peter Woodgate and the Former Minister of Science and Technology of China, Prof Xu Guanhua

Speech by Peter Woodgate, CRCSI CEO

Minister Professor Xu, Vice President Jiang, Professor Guo, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to congratulate my friend Professor Guo and the Chinese Academy of Sciences on this wonderful initiative in creating the Centre for Earth Observation and Digital Earth. I would also like to add the congratulations of the Chair of the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information, Professor Mary O’Kane, who has asked me to convey to you her sincere delight in the leadership that China is showing in the use of earth observing technologies for creating a sustainable world.

China has clearly set out to make massive investments in new information technologies. You are doing so because you understand the wide benefits that will flow to all Chinese. These benefits are measured in terms that we all understand; peace, safety, public order and ultimately prosperity.

China’s leadership extends beyond her national boundaries. You are demonstrating your desire to extend the hand of friendship to your fellow nations in a truly collaborative and bipartisan spirit. You have planned a breathtakingly large civilian satellite program over the coming decade. This program will allow China to fulfill the role of first amongst equals in applying the outcomes of this investment. You are using science as a uniting force to cement good relations and to tackle the enormous issues that must be tackled.

Australia greatly appreciates the friendship of China. We too have a high regard for science. We understand that the combination of many willing hands from many nations will accelerate the rate of creation of the new knowledge that the world will seek from its scientists. We wish to be a good neighbour. We seek to partner with China in the innovative use of satellite imagery, global navigation satellite systems, visualization systems and the techniques that will be employed to generate new understandings for the management of our land and water resources.

Australia will look to exchange scientists, to generate joint training programs, and to build joint teams for deployment on mutually agreed research programs. We feel that in this way we will become a more innovative nation. By strengthening our own capacities we will then be in a better position to offer assistance to our neighbours in south-east Asia and the Pacific.

I have no doubt the Centre for Earth Observation and Digital Earth will become a pioneer in the development of digital earth technologies. Congratulations once again Prof Guo and all the very best with your new Centre.

Thank you.