Calendar 2021-22

158 Part 4 • Research Units Part 4 S tate Key Laboratories Launched in 1984, the State Key Laboratory Scheme is one of the key technology development projects of China. State Key Laboratories (SKLs) focus on studies in the latest academic developments and important technological issues in relation to the economy, social development, health and security of China. Organizations hosting a SKL should have attained international standards and be in a pivotal position in their respective disciplines. They should be able to complete important state research tasks, and possess excellent research teams and favourable conditions for conducting research and experiment. Two SKLs were established at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2006 and 2008, respectively with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The SKLs anchor their spearheading roles in oncology and agrobiotechnology research. The University was further approved to establish two more SKLs, namely, the State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants in 2009 and the State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry in 2010. In 2013, CUHK’s fifth SKL, the State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, was established.