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Keep up to date with the latest developments in China's innovation, science and research system with the Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin. The Bulletin is prepared by the Senior Research and Program Officer of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. Please subscribe to the Australia-China IS&T Bulletin by sending us an email.
In the last decade, China has become one of the world’s leading producers of high quality science and one of Australia’s most important science and research partners.
Australia has a strong record of achievement in science over more than a century, with a highly sophisticated research workforce and infrastructure. China is vigorously developing world-class research capabilities with rapidly increasing budgetary support. China now invests the third highest amount on research and development in the world. Chinese Government policies emphasise a long term commitment to excellent science and research.
The scientific communities of Australia and China have complementary strengths and shared interests in a range of areas, including water resources, demographics, agriculture, space science, remote sensing, biotechnology, nanotechnology, renewable and low carbon energy.
While scientific cooperation has been part of the bilateral relationship for decades, and the treaty-level agreement on cooperation in science and technology was signed in 1980, China’s recent unprecedented economic growth and continually increasing investment in science and research have opened up new opportunities for collaboration. Cooperating on cutting-edge science and research will also help us to find solutions to global problems, such as those associated with pandemic diseases, aging populations and climate change.
The Governments of Australia and China have laid the foundation for a productive, mutually beneficial long term scientific and technology partnership through a range of cooperative activities under the International Science Linkages (ISL) Program:
- 30 years of Australia- China science and research collaboration are captured in 30 stories in the official commemorative book, to be highlighted at Shanghai World Expo 2010 during ‘Partners for a Better Future: Science Week’ (2-6th August).
- The Australia-China Special Fund for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was established in 2001 and supported by Australian Government funding of almost $12 million over ten years, matched by the Chinese Government. The two governments have supported 116 projects to date, and application numbers doubled between 2006 and 2009.
- The Australia-China Young Scientists Exchange Program, which began in 2006, places mid-career researchers with outstanding scientific records and leadership potential in carefully selected host institutions in the partner country over an intensive two-week tour. The program specialises in introducing outstanding researchers to each other and enabling them time to fully explore avenues for collaboration.
- The annual Australia-China Science Academies Symposium series began in 2004 and has become a highly regarded international event. Large delegations of eminent researchers from both countries discuss issues of mutual interest and concern with their counterparts with a view to establishing collaborative research projects of benefit to both countries, and exchange data, information and ideas for mutual benefit.
In addition to research supported under the ISL, Australia and China collaborate through a range of other initiatives and programs. These include:
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