China-EU Science & Technology Year

The magnitude of the relationship between China and the European Union has been growing progressively for more than a decade now, and has matured into a veritable partnership. Both sides have identified scientific research and development as a key driver of economic success and sustainability. The China-EU Science & Technology Year (CESTY) was born in the context of this deepening partnership as a way to foster a more fluid and enduring exchange of ideas, people and resources.

Some of the principle objectives of CESTY are to display and demonstrate the importance of China-Europe science and technology cooperation, as well as to raise Chinese and European scientific profiles on either side. In addition, China and the EU aim to open their research programmes for greater collaboration. Ideally, in so doing, CESTY will lead to the improvement of general mutual understanding.

Events planned throughout Europe and China to celebrate this year of cooperation will exhibit China and the EU’s respective accomplishments in S&T development. Focus will be given to Europe’s new Research Framework Programme (FP7) for funding scientific research and China’s 11th “Five-year Plan” stressing a scientific approach to development. Along with focusing on policy in relation to R&D, initiatives on both sides will be highlighted to showcase infrastructures, research institutions, universities and enterprises involved in research and development.

This collaboration is the natural progression of an already well established history of cooperation between the European Union and China. The two parties signed the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation in 1998 and renewed it in 2004. In 2005, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China, the two partners signed the Joint Declaration on EU-China Science and Technology Cooperation: Building a Knowledge-Based Strategic Partnership. This declaration signalled a new political and economic paradigm for Chinese-EU RTD cooperation. China has been a major partner in previous Framework Programmes for funding research and will figure predominantly in FP7.

CHINESE R&D:

A scientific approach to development

China has identified research and innovation as a driving force for the progress of society. It is seen as a source and backbone of sustainable economic development, as well as a precursor to major technological and industrial advancement. As a result, China has implemented numerous programmes to support scientific R&D projects at home and abroad.

In 2006, China launched its 11th “Five-year Plan” to establish policy guidelines for economic and social development. As one of its main points, the Plan recognises increasing independent innovation as the core link to increase the overall technological level of industry and to improve competitiveness across all sectors. One of the basic strategic concepts of the Plan is its “Scientific Approach to Development”.

Whereas the “Five-year Plan” is a comprehensive strategy for Chinese society, The National Program on Key Basic Research Projects (973 Program) mobilises China’s scientific talents in conducting innovative research on major scientific issues in agriculture, energy, information, resources and environment, population and health, materials, and related areas. In addition to the 973 Program, The National High-tech R&D Program (863 Program) has as its mission to boost innovation capacity in high-tech sectors, achieve breakthroughs in key technical fields and accomplish “leap-frog” development in key high-tech fields where China enjoys relative advantages.

International cooperation factors significantly into China’s R&D agenda. The circumstance, content and mode of China’s international S&T cooperation have undergone some remarkable changes. The governmental S&T cooperation between China and other countries is gradually shifting from unilaterally receiving aid at the beginning of its reform to the present environment of joint investment and research on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

CESTY is an extension of this very process. As part of its outward looking 973 Program, China hopes to attentively and elaborately organise key international S&T cooperation projects, mobilise enthusiasm from all sectors of the economy, and encourage joint financing from governmental departments, research institutes and enterprises for international S&T projects.

EUROPEAN R&D:

Heading towards a truly knowledge based economy

Research and innovation help deliver jobs, prosperity and a higher quality of life. European leaders took this idea to heart at the Lisbon European Council in 2000 when they delivered a major policy pledge to develop Europe into the largest knowledge based economy in the world by 2010.

To achieve such an ambitious goal, Europe needs to initiate a new “common endeavour in Science and Technology”. This will involve substantial investment from both the public and private spheres, and the mobilisation of European society across all sectors towards a knowledge based society is an objective to which the European Union attaches great importance. Significant progress has been made in achieving this goal, starting with increased focused investment and specific policy measures taken by Member States. Much emphasis has been placed on the Framework Programmes for Science and Technology to underscore this point.

A new understanding is emerging in Europe. The production and application of scientific knowledge is in itself a driving force in the establishment and reinforcement of the Union’s relationship with third party countries on a bilateral, multilateral or global scale. This new approach replaces the previous support role that S&T cooperation had in relation to other policy fields. It entails the development of mechanisms for the exchange of information, mobility of scientists and encouragement of national and local S&T strategies on the part of the EU’s partner countries.

The 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), in effect from 2007 to 2013, provides a vision for the future of research and innovation in Europe. It also provides a structure for opening the European Research Area to the world, and China is an important partner due to its spectacular rise as a key player on the world stage backed by concerted internal reforms. CESTY aims to build upon such accomplishments and is proof of the valuable friendship that exists between China and the EU for producing mutually beneficial results for the advancement of global society.