Denmark and China Strengthen Cooperation on Research and Development

During a ceremony in the Chinese capital Beijing, Science Minister Helge Sander and his Chinese colleague Mr. Wan Gang today sign a memorandum of understanding on research and development.

– Knowledge today is something that you trade in and exchange globally. For Denmark it is crucial that we play a significant role among the world's leading knowledge centres. Therefore we must strengthen and develop cooperation with China and other knowledge centres, says Science Minister Helge Sander.

– The 21st century is often referred to as Asia's century, because Asia is growing both in terms of economic weight and political influence. China, with its enormous growth, is one of the main motors behind this development. We should not regard this as a threat. On the contrary, we can benefit from a closer cooperation with China, says Helge Sander.

With the memorandum of understanding, more collaborative projects are expected, leading to exchange of knowledge and research results between Danish and Chinese enterprises and researchers. In addition, the memorandum sets the stage for increased exchange of researchers and cooperation on research training.

It covers prioritised areas with great potential for increased cooperation within research and innovation. The selected areas are biotechnology, medical research, agriculture and food technology, renewable energy, nanotechnology and ICT.

At present, Denmark has bilateral cooperation agreements with India and Canada on biotechnology and with Israel on biotechnology and ICT. Negotiations are also under way with Japan and the United States about cooperation agreements.

The Danish-Chinese memorandum of understanding on research and development is signed as an element in Science Minister Helge Sander's visit to China during the period 23-29 September.

Science Minister Helge Sander can be contacted via Communications Manager Niels Hovmand on phone number +45 40 82 89 58 or e-mail .