Prof. XU Guanhua, Minister of Science and Technology met Van Gennip, visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and his delegation on the morning of Jan.18, 2005. During the meeting, Minister XU and Minister Van Gennip signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral ties in innovation.

The Ministers exchanged ideas on cooperation in respect of technology innovation, construction of science parks, protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), traditional Chinese medicines and electric vehicles. Minister XU said that China had attached great importance to the industrialization of scientific and technological (S&T) achievements, construction of science parks abroad, and protection of IPR. In addition, the Chinese Government is interested in collaborating with the Netherlands in technology innovation and science parks. Minister XU introduced China’s efforts to establish science parks in foreign countries. He emphasized the importance of pre-construction surveys and feasibility researches. Minister XU appreciated Netherlands’ warm reception to China’s study group on establishment of overseas science parks. Minister Van Gennip said that the Holland Government, including local governments, universities and enterprises had shown great interest in bilateral efforts of establishing science parks, and is willing to sponsor the feasibility researches in Netherlands with the Chinese party.

After the meeting, Minister XU and his Dutch counterpart signed MOU on technological cooperation. The MOU aims at strengthening the ties between research institutes, universities and enterprises in terms of innovation policies and R&D programs. Ministers of both countries entrusted the Department of High-tech Development and Industrialization under the Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Department of Enterprises and Innovation under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to take the responsibility to implement the MOU.

Joined by Holland Ambassador to China, MOST officials including Mr. YU Ying, Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, Mr. FENG Jichun, Director-General, Department of High-Tech Development and Industrialization, and Mr. WU Yingjian, Deputy Director-General of the Torch High Tech Industrial Development Center attended the meeting and the signing ceremony.