From 17-18 October, Zhang Tao, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), inspected the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory.

During the visit, President Zhang visited the Nanshan site. Dr. Wang Na, Director of Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO), introduced the research progress, scientific platform construction, talents cultivation, cooperation and communication, reform ideas and plans of XAO. Bai Chunhai, head of Nanshan site, reported the observation development, operation of solar telescopes and the related research projects that have been carried out by XAO. President Zhang fully affirmed the achievements made by XAO, and stated that XAO should make full use of the advantages of the astronomical observation environment to target cutting-edge science and technology, as well as work hard and make great developments on astronomical sciences.

President Zhang also visited the EMC Technology Laboratory, Microwave Receiver Technology Laboratory and Antenna Laboratory, to gain more through understanding on the working conditions of the researchers. Chen Maozheng, deputy director of XAO, introduced the operation status of each lab, and the research progress on ultra-wideband and multibeam receivers, cryogenic MMIC low-noise amplifiers for V-band, digital backend, EMC protection and evaluation of key technologies.