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(f.l.t.r.): Dr. Tilman Krauch, President BASF Asia Pacific, Prof. Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice President of Peoples Congress of the Republic of China, Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, Prof. Peter Gruss, President of the Max-Planck-Society, Munich, Mike de Vries, Managing Director of FC Deutschland GmbH
(f.l.t.r.): Dr. Tilman Krauch, President BASF Asia Pacific, Prof. Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice President of Peoples Congress of the Republic of China, Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, Prof. Peter Gruss, President of the Max-Planck-Society, Munich, Mike de Vries, Managing Director of FC Deutschland GmbH
2006/08/22
The “Science Tunnel” opens in the Science & Technology Museum in Shanghai

Shanghai/Berlin, 03.08.2006 – An innovative multimedia exhibition by the Max Planck Society for the Promotion of the Sciences, supported by BASF AG and “Invest in Germany – Land of Ideas”
On 3 August 2006, the multimedia exhibition in the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum was opened before an audience of 200 prominent guests, by the President of the Max Planck Society for the Promotion of the Sciences, Professor Peter Gruss. The guest appearance of the “Science Tunnel“ in China, is being supported by, amongst others, BASF AG and “Invest in Germany – Land of Ideas”. The “Science Tunnel”, is presented bilingually, in both English and Chinese. The exhibition, open until 7 October 2006, invites visitors to take part in a fascinating journey through the mysteries of our world, leads them to groundbreaking discoveries, current events and an insight into the latest scientific research.

Guests of honour at the opening ceremony were Professor Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice President of the Congress of the People’s Republic of China, Zuo Huancheng, Vice President of the Shanghai Political Consultative Conference, Dr Tilman Krauch, President of BASF Asia Pacific and Mike de Vries, the Managing Director of FC Deutschland GmbH.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Pan Zheng, the Director of the Shanghai Science & Technology Museums spoke with enthusiasm: “The ‘Science Tunnel’ is an innovative multimedia presentation of the highest level, and introduces its visitors to advanced research and technology in an easily understandable and comprehensible form. As a leading educational player in the field of popular science, the Shanghai Science Museum is dedicated to displaying just such a range of outstanding achievements from around the world.”

The activities of BASF, with two additional display modules, are also a part of the “Science Tunnel” exhibition. They present an overview of BASF in the Asia Pacific region and the current activities of the world’s leading chemical concern. “Innovation and sustained development are essential for BASF as a company. In China, we are working with the most modern technologies and supporting the nation in the creation of a “harmonious society”, emphasised Dr Tilmann Krauch, President of BASF Asia Pacific. “In an innovative way, the ‘Science Tunnel’ provides visitors with an opportunity to learn much more about what top researchers around the world are currently working on.”

Professor Peter Gruss said: “The Max Planck Society is Germany’s best known organisation in the field of fundamental research. We are proud to be able to show the ‘Science Tunnel’ in Shanghai – our fascinating journey to fundamental discoveries, the latest topics and an insight into contemporary sciences. Visitors can experience for themselves the excitement of solving the mysteries of the unknown. We want to awaken the awareness of the general public, and particularly the young, to the world of research, because this is the foundation on which future society will be built.”

“With the aid of the ‘Science Tunnel’ and against the background and aims of a more intensive cooperation between Germany and the Asian region, the ‘Invest in Germany – Land of Ideas’ initiative and its partners, supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics, are promoting Germany as a business and investment location. The exhibition spotlights the strengths of future-orientated research and technology in the Land of Ideas and reveals what is imaginable for the future,” underlined Mike de Vries, the Managing Director of FC Deutschland GmbH.

An unforgettable insight into the secrets of the universe

In the “Science Tunnel”, visitors can move through 12 stages and learn not only about the functions of some of the smallest elements of our world, such as proteins, enzymes and cells inside the human body, but also the greatest structures in the universe.

More than 300 large-format pictures and 150 video clips show the latest research projects from all fields of modern science, some of which have never been presented to the public before. They provide a fascinating insight into the hidden worlds of the micro cosmos and macro cosmos. Accompanied by an audio guide, visitors can encounter all the challenges facing scientists today, ranging from research into the building blocks of life to the causes of illness, the secrets of our consciousness, and ongoing research into solving the worldwide problems of humanity, assessing the future of our biosphere, planet Earth, and exploring the Universe. Many of the exhibits are interactive and invite visitors to observe and discover current scientific research projects.

The “Science Tunnel” has been funded by BASF AG, “Invest in Germany – Land of Ideas”, and the Max Planck Society for the Promotion of the Sciences, and was presented for the first time at the EXPO 2000 World Fair in Hanover. It then attracted more than two million visitors worldwide as a travelling exhibition, visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Manchester, Ludwigshafen, Hong Kong and Thessalonica. Last year the content and technology of the Science Tunnel was completely upgraded and it started its second world tour in the National Museum for Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo.


For further information contact:

BASF
Tomke Prey
Corporate Innovation Communication
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Tel.: +49 621 60-59066
E-Mail: tomke.prey@basf.com

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Andreas Trepte
Office of Press & Public Relations
Max Planck Society
Tel: +49 89 2108 1238
E-Mail: trepte@gv.mpg.de

Invest in Germany
Bettina Knape
Department Head: Marketing-Communications
Tel.: +49 30 20657 171
E-Mail: knape@invest-in-germany.com

BASF AG
BASF is one of the world’s leading chemical corporations – The Chemical Company. Its portfolio stretches from chemicals, plastics, processing products, agricultural pesticides and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable supplier to practically all sectors of industry, BASF, with its intelligent system solutions, helps its customers to be successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. By linking its commercial success to its corporate vision of environmental protection and social responsibility, the company is contributing to development that will be compatible with the future.

In 2005, the BASF Group employed about 81,000 people and generated sales of more than €42.7 billion. Its shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt am Main (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), and Zürich (AN). You will find more information about BASF on the Internet at www.basf.com.

The Max Planck Society
The Max Planck Society is Germany’s most important organisation for basic research. It maintains 78 institutes and employs about 12,200 people, including about 4,100 scientists. In addition to this, about 10,000 young and guest scientists work in the institutes. The annual budget, which in 2005 came to €1,332 billion, is mainly financed from public funds. The aim of the society is to achieve a leading position in innovative research directions. Its research activities are accordingly concentrated on particularly innovative subject areas from the natural and life sciences as well as intellectual and social sciences. It is one of the world’s best research organisations. You will find further information on the Internet at www.mpg.de.

Invest in Germany
Invest in Germany GmbH is financed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and is the official organisation for promoting investment and the primary contact for business interests in Germany.
Invest in Germany GmbH has the following functions: promoting the advantages of Germany as an outstandingly attractive location for companies; providing information and market analyses on specific industries; maintaining links with the corporate network in Germany; and coordinating the business location selection process in cooperation with local partners. From its head office in Berlin, Invest in Germany GmbH provides services free of charge to companies that are considering setting up a location in Germany.

You will find further information on the Internet www.invest-in-germany.com.

About “Germany - Land of Ideas”
“Germany – Land of Ideas“ is a joint location initiative of the Federal Government and German industry, represented by the Federation of German Industry (BDI). The aim of the initiative is to portray Germany, at home and abroad, as an innovative, cosmopolitan and enthusiastic country. The patron of the initiative is the German President Horst Köhler. FC Deutschland GmbH, and its managing director, Mike de Vries, are responsible for coordinating the initiative. “Germany - Land of Ideas” is supported by numerous German companies and cooperation partners from the fields of science, culture and society. The initiative realises six core projects: The sculpture park – “Walk of Ideas”, the event programme – “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas”, the Fan Club, the international media service, the welcoming initiative and, in collaboration with the federal location marketing agency, Invest in Germany, the campaign “Invest in Germany – Land of Ideas”.

The partners
adidas-Salomon AG • Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG • Allianz AG • AUDI AG AWD Holding AG • BASF AG • Bayer AG • Deutsche Bank AG • Deutsche Börse AG • Deutsche Lufthansa AG • DHL • Deutsche Telekom AG • EnBW AG E.ON AG •Fraport AG • Georgsmarienhütte Holding GmbH • HDI Versicherungen • Heitkamp & Thumann Group • IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG • Roland Berger Strategy Consultants • RWE AG • Voith AG • Wall AG
© Land of Ideas - An initiative of Marketing für Deutschland GmbH
www.land-of-ideas.org