One partner of this initiative is the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who in 2005 signed a cooperation agreement with UNESCO through the Joint Research Laboratory of Remote Sensing for Archaeology.

UNESCO: NATURAL SCIENCES

Despite this recognition however China Daily points out that the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) rejected his application for membership two years ago.

BBC: China media: Internet rumours

It is co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and UNESCO, and hosted by the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), a Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, and the Centre for Earth Observation and Digital Earth (CEODE).

UNESCO: Detailview | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization