- Both countries will facilitate the joint use of scientific infrastructure 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 that will facilitate the joint use of their scientific infrastructures, exchange research staff, organize forums and bilateral 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 from different levels of the public R&D system in Spain and China, which have biotechnology, energy, environmental protection (including water), health and Information technologies are 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. They have subsequently met with the Minister of Economy and Competitiveness, Luis de Guindos.
Spain and China will allow through this agreement that their researchers can 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 Ionic Microsonde II, for example. This joint use of scientific infrastructure 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 the 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 in 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 of Foreign Trade (ICEX). A possible scientific seminar was also established in 2014 or a bilateral forum focused on scientific policy.
The two countries are interested in strengthening their collaboration in technology and innovation, especially in areas such as biotechnology, renewable energy, environmental protection, nuclear fusion, space or materials. For this, delegations will be formed that will participate in the scientific-technological events of both countries.
Finally, Spain and China will promote co-participation in the projects of the next European framework program, Horizon 2020, and will advance on equality policy issues, so that both countries will discuss possible exchanges of researchers to help advance in this regard.
