- Both countries will facilitate the joint use of scientific infrastructures and the exchange of researchers
- Biotechnology, energy, environmental protection, health and information technologies, main areas of interest
Spain and China will cooperate closely in science, technology and innovation. Both countries have signed an agreement today through which they will facilitate the joint use of their scientific infrastructures, exchange research personnel, organize bilateral forums and meetings and seek areas for collaboration in technology and innovation. The two countries have also agreed on a work plan to expand and develop mutual collaboration in other areas.
The delegations of both countries have had the presence of representatives of different levels of the public R & D & I system of Spain and China, who have biotechnology, energy, environmental protection (including water), health and information technologies the main areas of interest for bilateral cooperation. The Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela, and the Minister of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, Wan Gang, have signed the agreement. Subsequently, they met with the Minister of Economy and Competitiveness, Luis de Guindos.
Through this agreement, Spain and China will allow their researchers to use the scientific and technological infrastructures of the other party, facilitating that Chinese researchers have access to the Alba Synchrotron or the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and that the Spanish can make use of the Particle Accelerator. from Shanghai or the High Resolution and Sensitivity II Ionic Microsonde, for example. This joint use of scientific infrastructures could be extended to research centers in future agreements.
Regarding the mobility of researchers, both countries have shown their interest in exchanging scientists, particularly young people, so possible modalities of exchange will be discussed at subsequent meetings.
Forums and bilateral collaboration
Spain and China want to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation by organizing bilateral forums and seminars. In this sense, sessions have been organized between the Spanish Center for the Promotion of Renewable Energies and the Chinese Society of Renewable Energies within the framework of the Sanya CSP Forum that will take place in China next August, where the Center is expected to take part for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) and / or the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX). A possible scientific seminar has also been established in 2014 or a bilateral forum focused on science policy.
The two countries are interested in closer collaboration on technology and innovation, especially in areas such as biotechnology, renewable energy, environmental protection, nuclear fusion, space or materials. For this, delegations will be formed to participate in the scientific-technological events of one and the other country.
Lastly, Spain and China will promote co-participation in the projects of the next European framework program, Horizon 2020, and will advance on issues of equality policies, so both countries will discuss possible exchanges of researchers that help advance in this regard.
