Sponsorship Information

August 21-23, 2002

Shanghai, China

Organized by:

China Education and Research Network
China Science and Technology Network
The University of Maryland
Chinese Association for Science and Technology, USA

Objectives:

Bring top network leaders from China and the United States together to exchange information and experience and to promote partnerships between educational, research and commercial industry organizations.

The fourth annual Chinese American Networking Symposium (CANS) will be held from August 21-23 in Shanghai, China. The first symposium, held in Washington, DC in January, 1999, was attended by more than 120 executives, network industry leaders, and officials from China as well as the US. Chinese attendees represented the major Internet service providers in China: China Education and Research Network (CERNET), China Science and Technology Network (CSTNET), China Commercial Network (ChinaNet), and China Golden Bridge Network (BGNET).

With the great success of this event, it has since become an annual event. The second was held in Beijing, China in May, 2000. More than 20 network experts gave presentations. Jiang Minheng, Vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , Dr. Doug Van Houweling, President and CEO of the Internet II, and Dr. Vinton Cerf, known as "Father of the Internet" and Senior Vice President of MCI, presided the conferences along with more than 250 participants. A historical MoU was signed between Internet II and Chinese Advanced network organizations to provide high speed Internet connection to Chinese Internet communities. These conferences have been highly successful. For more detailed information about previous CANS programs, please check the website: http://www.oit.umd.edu/cans/

China is rapidly expanding its telecommunications and networking infrastructure and deployment. The growth of the national fiber optical and wireless networks are bringing new capabilities to China?s businesses, industry and educational institutions. Advancements to the next generation network are needed. The majority of Chinese citizens still lack adequate Internet access. Advanced Internet backbone structures need to be implemented and upgraded, providing opportunities for technology transfer and direct investments. Networking technologies and equipment are in great demand.

The United States has been a leader in the development and deployment of networking technologies. The Internet is now a commodity. Partnerships between the higher education research community, industry and the federal government are formed to develop the next generation Internet. Timing is right for the continued development of partnerships between American corporations, enterprises and institutions and the Chinese counterparts. The needs for information exchange motivated the Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the University of Maryland, to jointly organize the 2002 Chinese-American Networking Symposium (CANS 2002). Like the 1st time that a great many of top Chinese Internet leaders will visit the United States and share information with their counterparts. The CEOs and Chief Engineers of participating organizations from China include:

* Zhao Xiaofan, Deputy Director General, State Informatization Office of China

* Wu Jainping and Li Xing, CERNET - China Education and Research Network

* Yan Baoping and Qian Hualin, CSTNET- China Science and Technology Network

As a sponsor of CANS 2002, your participation and contributions will provide you with an opportunity to share your ideas and visions with the networking leaders and decision makers in China, promote relationships, and learn how your products and services can advance the networking environment in China. We look forward to your participation in this exciting symposium!

To become a CANS 2002 sponsor, you may contact the Office of Information Technology, University of Maryland at (301) 405-7700 or by electronic mail at cans2002@umail.umd.edu. We encourage you to join us in supporting this event, and look forward to welcoming your organization as a CANS 2002 sponsor.