In line with the Constitution of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Tentative Regulations for the Management of Group Members of the China Association for Science and Technology was issued and came into effect recently.

The Regulations stipulates that any social group that hopes to join CAST as its group member must meet five requirements: first, it shall recognize the Constitution of CAST; secondly, it shall be a social body registered according to the Regulations for Registration and Management of Social Groups issued by the State Council and operating in a discipline or an academic field no lower than grade II, as classified by the National Standards for S&T Classifications, in basic science, technological science or engineering, which takes promoting the development and popularization of science and technology as its aim; thirdly, it shall have individual members no fewer than 1,000, including outstanding specialists with major influence in the specific filed or discipline, as well as a certain number of corporate members; fourthly, it shall be able to independently conduct activities for academic communications, popularization of science and technology and continued education, and have science and technology or science popularization journal(s); fifthly, it shall have a sound administrative body' a fairly size of full-time staff suitable for its operation and a permanent domicile and a legal annual income no less than RMB 300,000 yuan.

According to the Regulations, the social group that complies with the requirements and intends to join CAST shall submit a written application to CAST, which shall be examined by the standing committee of the National Committee of CAST on the basis of recommendation by the Executive Secretariat of CAST.