China would step up cooperation with the EU in major programs and "big science" such as the Galileo satellite navigation positioning system; develop cooperation programs of global concern in high-tech areas such as energy sources (hydrogen power and nuclear fusion power), space, bio technologies, information technology, nano technology and aerospace as well as health medicine, environment and resources etc. Vice Minister of the Science and Technology Ministry Shang Yong made the above comments at the China-EU High-level Forum on Science and Technology Policy and Strategy held on Thursday.

The EU and its member states are important partners of China in international sci-tech cooperation. Since 1981 by the joint effort of China and the EU China-EU sci-tech cooperation system has been improving. Cooperation scale is expanding steadily and the content is constantly enriched. The result is remarkable. The two sides have executed over 400 cooperation programs. Experts from the both sides exchange visits frequently, about 4,000 person times in total. Invested outlay reached about 300 million euro.

In recent years, particularly since 1998 Chinese scientists have actively taken part in the EU scientific and technological framework plant according to the China-EU sci-tech cooperation agreement. Cooperation programs have reached more than 130. A raft of large programs in line with the common keys of the two sides appeared in areas such as mobile communications, materials, food quality and security and SARS. China takes part in about 4 percent of the EU framework programs. The signing and implementation of the China-EU Galileo plan cooperation agreement have enhanced the China-EU sci-tech cooperation relations in a comprehensive way. Sci-tech cooperation is becoming an important component of the overall China-EU relations.

Shang Yong said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of formal China-EU relations. In 2006 the EU's 6th research and technology development framework plan will end. Its 7th research and technology development framework plan will be enacted and launched. China will implement the eleventh "five year plan" and mid & long-term sci-tech development plan. There are great potentials for the China-EU scientific and technological cooperation.

By People's Daily Online