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Foreigners encouraged to seek S&T partners
By Cui Ning (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-05-12 23:53
Foreign research institutes are being encouraged to operate in China by
linking up with local partners for new technology and project developments,
Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua urged yesterday.
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| Government officials of South China's Guang Province
and administration of Eriksson China branch launch the S&T
center in the provincial capital of Guangzhou May 9, 2005.
[newsphoto/file] | Xu was speaking at China-EU forum on science and technology strategy, which
opened yesterday in Beijing.
Xu suggested China and EU (the European Union) further propel co-operation in
the fields of hydrogen energy and nuclear fusion resources, space and aviation,
environment, biological and information sciences.
"To deepen mutual understanding of scientific progress, the two sides should
also make it possible that China's Technology Year Exposition are regularly held
in the Europe, while EU can sponsor similar activities in China," said Xu.
He called on medium and small firms from the two sides to closely co-operate
with each other in order to upgrade the development of high-tech industries.
"The Chinese authorities are trying to improve the environment for foreign
research institutes to enter the country," said Zhang Zhiqin, an official of the
ministry's Department for International Co-operation.
Incomplete statistics indicate that the country has seen more than 300
branches of foreign research institutions established over the recent two years.
French Pasteur Institute, for example, set up a branch in Shanghai last year.
However, "conditions need to be further improved for foreign institutes to
better perform in China," said Zhang.
"We are planning to work out tax and other preferential policies for foreign
institutes," he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology encouraged domestic
universities and research institutes to compete in overseas markets.
Huawei and Hai'er companies have set up their branches in the Europe.
At yesterday's opening ceremony of the forum, Janez Potocnik, EU commissioner
for science and research, said the EU is willing to co-operate with China in
environment, climate change, sustainable development and other aspects.
He said the two sides should seize opportunities to forward co-operation to
brave the challenges they commonly face, such as global governance and security
issues.
Since EU opened its Sixth Framework Programme to China in 2002, Chinese
scientists have joined 60 EU projects, including mobile communications and food
safety.
Meanwhile, European scientists have also participated in China's national key
basic research projects.
The EU will soon start its Seventh Framework Programme, whereas China will
implement a long-term scientific blueprint.
"Thus, the two sides have more potentials of co-operation in the future,"
said Vice-Minister of Science and Technology Shang Yong.
Long friendship
China held a reception in Beijing yesterday to mark the 30th
anniversary of its diplomatic relations with the European Union. Senior
diplomats from both sides vowed to enhance dialogue and co-operation in all
fields though their differences in trade, arms sales and human rights remain to
be solved, Xinhua reported.
"It's a long-term strategy and a common choice which is in the fundamental
interests of China and the EU to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership,"
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan told visiting EU Troika foreign ministers before
the reception in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
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