Chongqing builds stronger ties with UK

Chongqing municipality, "City of Mountains" in southwest China, has further cemented its ties with the UK on science and innovation. On March 14, the local Science and Technology Commission and S&T Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding with British Consulate-General in Chongqing and its Culture and Education Section.

All the four parties make commitments to joint efforts on the one-year campaign, UK-China Partners in Science, in southwest China. The initiative, UK-China Partners in Science, was proposed after the relationship between China and UK was defined as comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to London last May.

Exhibitions and conferences will be held throughout China this year to showcase the latest progress on science and technology made by scientists of the two countries. Local situations are taken into consideration when possibilities are identified.

In southwest China, as Mr. Tim Summers, British Consul-General in Chongqing, put it in his speech at the signing ceremony, the focuses will be given on "areas where the UK's scientific expertise matches with the needs and strengths of this region."

The first event in this region is a UK-China Food Safety Seminar on March 15. That will be followed by a series of workshops on traditional Chinese medicines, food (potatoes specifically), climate change and new materials, as well as visits between Chongqing and UK.

Mr.Dai Wei, Vice Chairman of Chongqing Association for Science and Technology, confirmed that the campaign would push forward existing co-operative programs. He vowed to build the future cooperation on the principle of equity and mutual benefit, results sharing and intellectual property rights protection.

Xu Qing, Vice Director of Chongqing Science and Technology Commission, signed the MOU and expressed her confidence on the prospect of the cooperation.

Mr. David Concar, First Secretary of Science and Innovation with British Embassy in China, thinks it is just "natural" for China, "one of the rising stars in global science and technology", and UK, "a leader in scientific and technology for some decades", to forge "stronger and deeper" scientific links. And he regards Chongqing as "very important " in China and internationally.

While he repeatedly stressed the common ground that the two countries share on science and technology, such as stem cell research and energy, he claimed, "That is not enough."

Mr. Summers, quote, "UK-China Partners in Science will build stronger economic ties between us," apparently agrees with him. His office was praised by Xu Zhongmin, Vice Chairman of Chongqing CPPCC, for their "active role promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries."

This was confirmed by local government officials. They recognized that British Consulate-General in Chongqing had been very active in boosting the ties between Chongqing and UK.

The cultural exchange between Chongqing and UK had laid a good foundation for the communication between science circles from the two sides, which is very important for partners with different cultural traditions.

David Foster, British Consul with Culture and Education Section in Chongqing, is working with Chongqing Education Commission on an interaction program for primary schools in Chongqing and UK. He hopes that there will be Chinese cultural centers in UK.

And Mr. Concar expressed his wish that the UK-China Partners in Science would contribute to the rural development in China by bringing basic technologies to Chinese farmers.

Tim's office will celebrate its 5th anniversary of establishment in a few days. He is glad that this year also marks the 5th anniversary of China's launch of its strategic resolution on "Developing West China."

As an inland city Chongqing expects more communication and cooperation with the rest of the world. Both local representatives from the government, organizations and enterprises and the British side expressed their hope for further contacts.

They still have a lot to do before concrete cooperation can be made. Fortunately their great efforts on promoting the mutual understanding and trust have achieved a good beginning. As Mr. Concar said, trust, motivation and a right way lead to successful cooperation.

By People's Daily Online