The State Engineering Lab for the Next Generation Internet Backbone was unveiled on January 19 at Tsinghua University. The founding ceremony for its board of directors and technical committee was also held on that day. Tsinghua Vice President Kang Kejun attended the event. Professor Wu Jianping from Tsinghua is the first director of the lab.

The establishment of the State Engineering Lab for the Next Generation Internet (NGI) Backbone was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2009. Tsinghua University is the facilitator of the lab, while the CERNET network center, Cernet Corporation, and Bit-way Networks are its collaborative units. The lab was established to conduct R&D, serve as a platform for testing and experimentation for the backbone network, execute research on key techniques and operating techniques, and promote experimental use of as well as demonstrate the utilitarian value and product development of the NGI, so as to improve its level of operation and management in China. 

(Photo by Guo Haijun)