Scientific and technical collaboration between the United Kingdom and China has expanded further with the signing of a new agreement covering sectors including energy, advanced engineering and life sciences.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the China Guanghua Science and Technology Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), coinciding with the meeting in London of Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Ministers have underscored the importance of the relationship and said both countries have the same goal of economic growth, with partnerships such as this helping to contribute to jobs and prosperity.
The MOU confirms the two organisations desire to work together to promote the development and exploitation of science and technology. This initial five year agreement will see STFC and the China Guanghua Foundation work together across a wide range of sectors.
The signing of the MOU follows the visit to China earlier this month by a delegation led by David Willetts, the Minister for Science and Innovation which included Professor Keith Mason, STFC Chief Executive.
Professor Keith Mason said: "This agreement further enhances the Research Councils UK's ever growing relationship with China. This MOU reinforces the commitment of both parties to developing a long term, mutually beneficial relationship. STFC looks forward to working with the Guanghua Foundation".
The agreement will see STFC contribute its expertise in research and innovation, and benefit in turn from Chinese R&D resources and access to the Chinese market. The MOU states that the parties will share information on facilities and campuses, developing collaborative research and development programmes, encouraging entrepreneurship and commercialisation of technologies.
Mr Zha, Vice Secretary-General of the China Guanghua Foundation said: "The agreement with STFC is an important first step for the Foundation in Europe. The Foundation is looking forward to developing wide-ranging collaboration with STFC, from scientific research through to the promotion of science and innovation".
The collaboration between STFC and the China Guanghua Foundation was initiated and facilitated by Tucker & Partners Ltd, a UK-based international business consultancy that represents the Foundation in Europe for all matters relating to technology transfer and technology commercialisation.
Christopher Tucker, Chief Executive of Tucker & Partners, said: "Collaboration between STFC and the Foundation creates enormous potential for both parties. We look forward to assisting the Foundation in extending its collaboration to other UK organisations and to developing its relationships throughout Europe."
This latest collaboration is also a step in a new direction for RCUK, as previous collaborations have been primarily with scientific and academic organisations.
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: "Working with China, which is growing in global importance daily, is hugely important for the future of the UK economy. We have world leading science, innovation and research in the UK and our relationship with China is vital to help us achieve our shared goals - economic growth, job creation and prosperity and growing successful companies.
"To secure two MOUs with China in the space of a month demonstrates the huge importance STFC places on maximising opportunities for collaboration and inward investment".