On 18 June, Minister WAN Gang of Science and Technology held talks with the Prince of Belgium and Mr. Vervilghen, Belgian Minister for Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy.

Minister WAN Gang briefed the Belgian delegation on China’s national innovation strategy, Medium and Long-term S&T Development Plan and the synergy of production, learning and research. The two sides highly appraised the achievements made in China-Belgium S&T cooperation and conducted in-depth discussion. They also reached consensus on strengthening cooperation in climate change, biomedicine, renewable energy and generation IV of nuclear energy as well as expanding cooperation under the EU 7th Framework Program.

China and Belgium signed the intergovernmental S&T cooperation agreement as early as 1979. Afterwards, MOST signed S&T cooperation agreements respectively with Flemish Region, Walloon Region and Brussels Capital Region. Up to now, the two countries have already executed over 300 S&T cooperation projects. Universities, research institutes and enterprises of both countries have maintained close ties of cooperation with satisfactory results. In the later half of this year, the two sides will hold the 16th China-Belgium Joint Committee Meeting for S&T cooperation.