EU, China step up joint innovation projects(2)

Romania and China, which have a bilateral cooperation framework, last year approved 26 projects for 2013-2014, covering new materials, green technologies, new agriculture hybrids, maritime sciences and other fields.

Romanian Consul General Florin Marius Tacu cited the Green Innovation Park, a joint science and technology park where joint research in agriculture will be carried out by the Chinese Academy for Agricultural Sciences and the University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Tacu said it's expected to become operational by the end of the year.

Laszlo Kuti, Hungary's consul general, told Shanghai Daily that around 40 joint projects are ongoing and Shanghai's top universities, including Fudan and Jiao Tong, are heavily involved.

The recently set up Shanghai-Hungary Green Energy Center does joint research in new energy solutions and aims to make new projects commercially viable.

Last year, an agreement was reached between the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission and Hungarian Innovation Office to encourage small and medium companies to innovate.

Kuti said Hungary is keen to help Shanghai preserve its cultural heritage through new technologies, which are beneficial for both sides.

Britain's universities are also involved with Chinese counterparts.

Matthew Forbes, UK deputy consul general, said 14 UK universities are among the 50 EU universities collaborating with China.

"As home to a number of top universities, the college sector is very important in terms of the UK's partnership in science and technology with China," he added.

"The UK recognizes the strength of China's universities, and not just in Shanghai and Beijing, so we're going out to more cities outside Shanghai, not just for trade but to set up links for joint research projects with universities in cities like Nanjing and Ningbo," he added.

Later this month in London, the UK and China will discuss setting up a task force to enhance the level of cooperation.

Estonia's strength and experience in urbanization, smart cities and public health make that country a good partner for Chinese government agencies and companies. Joint projects focus on urbanization issues, smart cities and better public health.

"We're engaged in a lot of dialogue to contribute our experience in sustainable development with many neighboring cities in the Yangtze River Delta region," said Jaan Reinhold, Estonian consul general in Shanghai.

Estonian companies are working with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences to introduce intelligent parking solutions and mobile phone payment technologies.

Reinhold said he's confident about introducing advanced technology from the EU and working closely with Chinese counterparts.

During the China (Shanghai) International Technology Exchange Fair last week, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg together set up a space to demonstrate their innovation potential and seek collaborators in China.

Consul General Buggenhout said a similar fair will be held in Belgium so Chinese companies can demonstrate innovations and breakthroughs.

Belgium's biopharmaceutical sector is working with the Shanghai Biopharmaceutical Industry Association to expand company exchanges. The Belgian company has transferred technology involving radio isotope equipment. Together they are setting up a generator to produce radioisotope materials in Jiangsu Province.