China_Association_of_Science_and_Technology
China Association for Science and Technology
Chinese government-affiliated organization
The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST; Chinese: 中国科学技术协会; pinyin: Zhōngguó Kēxué Jìshù Xiéhuì) is a people's organization of Chinese scientists and engineers, which is composed of multiple national professional societies and hundreds of branches at various local and international levels.[1][2][3] CAST was formed in September 1958 through the merger of the All-China Federation of Natural Science Societies and the All-China Association for Science Popularization.[2] Its stated goal is to act as a link between the science and technology community and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and government.[2] CAST is a constituent member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).[4][5][6] Wan Gang is the current president of the national committee of CAST.[7] He Junke serves as the Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary for CAST.[8]