(EST Pub Date) Science and Technology in Communist CHINA Through 1970

Approved for Release: 2018/01/30 C00659420
TCS 4425/as (b _
2. Mathematics and Computer Technology
94. China’s research in theoretical and applied
mathematics is fairly active and competent, espe-
cially when compared with the situation before
1949. Most of the research follows the lead of simi-
lar work abroad and is directed toward applica-
tion in such areas as computers, automatic control,
statistics, operations research, and linear program-
mmg.
95. A dozen or so senior mathematicians are
conducting high-level research on such subjects as
number theory, differential equations, analysis,
topology, differential geometry, and real and com-
plex variables. These men are devoting a con-
siderable portion of their time to training students.
As the younger mathematicians gain experience,
China should be capable of original research on
theoretical and applied mathematics ‘on a fairly
large_ scale.
96. “China's computer technology has been highly
dependent on foreign assistance, but native com-
petence is growing rapidly. The Chinese are" fully
aware of modem developments and are exerting
considerable eiforts to improve their technology
which is still considerably inferior to that in the
West. The most advanced high-speed digital com-
puter in China, the 16-K, is somewhat inferior to
the U.S. IBM 7090, which was commercially avail-
able in 1959;
97. The availability of computers is marginal in
meeting many of China’s needs, and strict alloca-
tion of computer time is needed to solve even pri-
ority economic and military projects. Neverthe-
less, a dozen or so factories are now producing
numerous special-purpose analog computers and
lesser numbers of fairly high-speed electronic
digital computers, which are adequate for the tasks
2, A
for Release: 2018/01/30 C00659420 g
‘Z /T 8
A
“
of numerical weather forecasting, operations r|(b)(1)~
search, business data processing and various types
of scientific and technical computations. China's
capabilities probably also are adequate to provide
some specialized computing devices that may be
required as elements of military systems. More
sophisticated research in the space sciences and
military technology will require advanced types of
computers which the Chinese are now building.
(See “Computers,” para. 338.)
3. Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
98. Most of China’s current research projects in
chemistry are aimed at mastering the known chemi-
cal processes and adapting them to China’s condi-
tions. Research results are not outstanding nor are
the projects very original, but they do provide sup-
port for China’s military and economic programs.
99. Emphasis in chemical research is on: the
separation and preparation of pure materials for
electronic and nuclear applications; the develop-
ment of chemical fertilizers and production of in-
secticides to support agriculture; and the produc-
tion of polymeric materials, petroleum products,
and phannaceuticals.
100. Chinese research in inorganic chemistry sup-
ports the light and heavy industries by developing
methods for analysis and for the separation of
economically important metals from indigenous ores
containing iron, ttmgsten, manganese, tin, the rare-
earth elements, and the radio-active elements
thorium and uranium. The preparation of pure
materials, such as silicon, rare earth oxides, and
borides, that are useful in the electronics industry
has been achieved, at least to the pilot-plant stage.
101. The major topic in physical chemistry re-
search is catalysis related to petroleum processing.
Here the eifort is imitative of Western research, b_ ( )
with a study on cobalt catalysts, among other(b)(
Although the effort has not achieved significant
results, it will continue to stress the improvement
of yields using well-tried processes.
102. Electrochemical research is aimed at the
separation and purification of rare metals from
molten salts. Research on batteries for use in all
types of military vehicles and aircraft is aimed at
lengthening the lifetime of the standard lead-acid
L/T
\/@
/\/\
CTCT \_/\_/
/\/\
0000
)
)
)