GM Establishes $1 Million Science Foundation In China
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Beijing - General Motors is establishing a $1 million science research foundation in China to support basic research in transportation, traffic safety, environment and human health in the world's most populous country.

At the foundation's inauguration ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, GM Group Vice President and President of GM Asia Pacific Operations Rudolph A. Schlais, Jr. presented the check to Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), which will manage the fund. 

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Rudolph A. Schlais

Photo: GM

The money, which comes from the GM Foundation in the United States, will be used to support the research program for the next five years until 2005. With $200,000 each year, GM and the NSFC will identify the projects that serve the objective of the foundation.

Also taking place at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday was the GM Foundation Science and Technology Achievement Award ceremony, where nine Chinese scientists competed for top prizes of $10,000. The award is one of the top three given by General Motors Corporation globally.

The award, jointly presented by GM and NSFC, is designed to compliment the young Chinese scientists who have made outstanding contributions to China's automotive technology in the research areas of manufacturing, parts, materials, new energy, computer science, electronic systems, automation, environmental protection and others.

As many as 40 Chinese scientists have won the GM Science and Technology Award since the biannual prize was established in 1996.

"General Motors is committed to China in the long-term," said Philip Murtaugh, chairman and CEO of the GM China Group, "Partnership is what we are building here to grow our business. It goes beyond making and selling cars. We are pleased to see that our partnerships with Chinese auto manufacturers, government and academia have helped enhance China's automotive industry as a whole.

"What we do here in China, supporting research in automotive technology, safety and environment, is in line with our global objective, which is promoting sustainable development in the countries and communities where we operate," Murtaugh said.

Said Chen Jiaer, president of NSFC, "GM's partnership with China's automotive sector and research institute demonstrates the company's strategic insight. The basic research in the areas GM and NSFC support is not only critical to the automotive industry but also critical to the socio-economic development of the country. "

Founded in 1986, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is a public institution for the management of the National Natural Science Fund to promote and finance basic and applied research in China.

GM has about $2 billion in participated investment and approximately 3,500 employees in China, where it operates four joint ventures and two wholly owned foreign enterprises.

(Nov. 8, 2000)