China Data Center - University of Michigan

About UM-SIC China Data Network:
The UMCDC-SIC China information network is a joint effort by Unversity of Michigan China Data Center and the State Information Center of China. The goal of this project is to promote the US-China information sharing and support those U.S. and Chinese scholars in China studies. The objectives are: to establish distri buted clearinghouses for spatial data and information sharing; to promote the international standard for spatial data in China; to develop advanced tools and technology for Internet data sharing, management and analysis, and to promote collaborative studies among scholars from the U.S. and China. Several testbeds will be selected in both the U.S. and China. The project includes the following tasks: (1) Integration of spatial and non-spatial data; (2) Network technology development for spatial data management and analysis; and (3) Joint training programs; and (4) Online learning center and workshops.

About UMCDC:
Established in 1997, the University of Michigan China Data center is a new initiative to advance the study and understanding of China. A primary goal of the Center is to promote information sharing and provide support to scholars on China stuies. Its missions include: to support research in the human and natural components of local, regional and global change; to promote quantitative research on China studies; to promote collaborative research in spatial studies; and to promote the use and sharing of China data in teaching and research. The Center will advance research and instructions at the University and in the wider academic community through various activities. A fundamental role of the Center will be the development of cooperative endeavors with China, with other universities, and institutions around the world. The Center will establish mechanisms for coordinating a decentralized effort to standardize, document, integrate, and share data about China with other institutions.

About SIC:
Established in 1987, the State Information Center is an institution that primarily serves the Chinese government in policy-making as well as the public. SIC is also coordinating the information centers administrated by local planning commissions at provincial and city levels. SIC is composed of 8 bureau-level departments and several sub-companies with about 470 employees. The CEInet (China Economic Information Network) developed by SIC is the largest Internet information server in China. SIC is one of the key players in the project on National Spatial Information Infrastructure (NSII), which is sponsored by the State Development Planning Commission and Ministry of Science and Technology.