Covering a wide range of basic research fields, China?¯s 161 national key labs have produced numerous S&T findings or results of an internationally advanced level. The Chengjiang animal colony, for example, discovered by the National Key Lab for Paleontology and Stratigraphy is deemed ?°one of the most astonishing discoveries made in the 20^th century?±. The lab?¯s investigation of the Chengjiang animal colony makes China a leader in studying the earlier life evolution process on earth. The National Key Lab for Medical Genetics has successfully cloned the genes causing high frequency nerve deafness, making a breakthrough from ground zero in cloning the genes causing local genetic diseases. The geometric calculation process for the Hamiltonian system, worked out by the National Key Lab for Science and Engineering Computation, creates a new approach to know the system. The new process has found broad applications in orbit calculation for celestial mechanics, and particle mechanics calculation for the particle accelerator.

Other national key labs also produced eye-catching achievements. While addressing national strategic needs, national key labs also provide powerful S&T support for the construction of major projects at the national level. For example, a national key lab serving for frozen earth projects worked out solid findings on frozen earth engineering process, which becomes a firm scientific basis for the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet railway system. The lab also provides technical support for the roadbed design and construction of the Qinghai-Tibet railway system, which saved over RMB 100 million for the project. A national key lab for disaster prevention oriented civil engineering developed wind and earthquake resistant technologies for more than 200 major national infrastructure projects.