At the invitation of the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Dr. Zhao Xinli, Deputy Director General of China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC), led a delegation to visit Toronto, Canada on April 26-28, 2016 and attended the 1st Workshop on China-Ontario Young Scientists Exchange Program. Ms. Mima Vulovic, Senior Policy Advisor at Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Shen Jianlei, science consul at the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, as well as officials from the Department of International Cooperation, MOST and CSTEC were also present.

Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, paid a visit to MOST in November 2015 and jointly announced with Dr. Wan Gang, Minister of MOST, that “China-Ontario Young Scientists Exchange Program” would be launched in 2016. Under the program, the two countries will fund a three-week academic visit to the other country by their young scholars to expand and deepen the longstanding bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

Dr. Zhao Xinli gave a detailed account of the ongoing reform of the system that manages state-funded S&T projects (Special projects and funds). He also introduced the experience MOST has drawn upon from similar scientist exchange programs jointly launched with the U.S., Australia and New Zealand in recent years.

Ms. Mima Vulovic expressed warm welcome to the Chinese delegation. She hoped the two sides could strengthen communication and coordination to make sure the first “China-Ontario Young Scientists Exchange Program” will be successfully organized in July and August 2016.

The two sides also exchanged views on arrangement of the exchange program and discussed the 2016 joint call for proposals. The two sides agreed on cooperation in science popularization.