Scientists from the mainland and Taiwan gathered yesterday in Beijing to exchange views on the development of life science, biological technology and other leading sciences, according to today's China Daily.

They were participating in a Cross-Straits Academic Exchange Symposium which was held by the mainland-based Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and Taiwan's Straits Academic and Cultural Exchange Association.

During the three-day symposium, scientists from the two sides will discuss specialized subjects such as genetic studies and clinical technology for testing viruses.

"We expect the symposium to further propel cross-Straits scientific and technological co-operation," said I-Ni-Ting, director of the Straits Academic and Cultural Exchange Association.

The progress of science, the economy and culture in Taiwan and the mainland will benefit people on both sides, said Ting.

He expressed his hope that scientists from Taiwan and the mainland would join hands to enhance China's scientific competitiveness and take the country's scientific prowess to a new high.

"Taiwan and the mainland compliment each other in scientific co-operation, as Taiwan has research funds and the mainland boasts a strong research teams," said Ting.

After the symposium, Ting will take a 30-member delegation to visit western parts of the mainland.

The move is aimed at allowing Taiwanese scientists to discover more about the mainland's western areas.

Over the past few years, scholars and investors from Taiwan have injected funds and technology into better developed eastern areas.

With the rapid development of transportation facilities in the western areas, Taiwan scholars and investors will come to realize that these areas are also worthy of investment, said Ting.

The Cross-Straits Academic Exchange Symposium was launched in 1999 by CAST - China's largest non-governmental organization focusing on disseminating scientific knowledge to the public.

Scientists from the mainland and Taiwan have exchanged ideas in the fields of information technology, medicine, agriculture and the eco-system through the past two symposiums, according to CAST's President Zhou Guangzhao.

He said some exchanges have accelerated the application of new technology.