Vice-premier: China willing to share its science progress

China is willing to share its achievements in scientific innovation with other countries to improve the world economy and address international challenges, Vice-Premier Liu Yandong said in London on Wednesday.

“We encourage and help foreign R&D institutions to take part in China’s science and technology projects, actively participate in large-scale international research cooperation programs and welcome outstanding talent from all over the world including Britain to China’s innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said at the UK-China Science & Innovation Forum in London.

Liu, on an official visit to the United Kingdom, said China will import $8 trillion in goods and absorb $600 billion in foreign investment in the next five years, while the nation’s total outbound investment will reach an accumulated $750 billion.

“There will be more opportunities for cooperation with China for all countries including the United Kingdom,” Liu said.

Liu and Prince Andrew witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding linked to the UK-China Joint Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation.

Prince Andrew said: “The world is becoming a smaller place, ... and if there are ways to be able to collaborate and cooperate with other great scientific nations, such as China, then I think we should make every effort to try and make those alternatives work for both of us.”

Jo Johnson, the UK minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation, said: “This strategy, the first of its kind between China and another country, is an important step forward . ... It is a central part of the UK-China bilateral relationship, underpinning our mutual commitment to drive growth and tackle global challenges through science and innovation.” He said it will focus activities and resources in strategic areas and support partnerships between academics, researchers and businesses in both countries.

The strategy highlights priority areas, including life sciences, food security, renewable energy and environmental technologies, and outlines cooperation mechanisms, including an annual flagship program that will focus on agricultural technologies.

The UK is more committed than ever to science and technology, Johnson said, noting an additional 4.7 billion pounds ($6.3 billion) of investment in science and innovation in the 2016 Autumn Statement, the biggest increase since 1979.