The 42nd Session of the China-Romania Intergovernmental Science and Technology Cooperation Committee was held in Beijing on September 7th, 2016. The Meeting was co-chaired by Yin Hejun, Chinese Chair of the Committee and Vice Minister of Science and Technology of China; and Mihai Robert Dima, Romanian Chair of the Committee and President of the National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation of Romania.

At the meeting, the Chinese side introduced the development of science, technology and innovation and future plans in China, with a focus on further reform of R&D project planning and administration; efforts to enable in-depth integration of R&D and the economy, and to advance international cooperation in science and technology. The Romanian side introduced Romania’s development system and strategy of science, technology and innovation, latest developments in science and technology, future goals and international cooperation, especially Romania’s participation in the construction of large-scale scientific facilities in the European Union. Both sides agreed that efforts should be made to fully leverage the Intergovernmental Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, and the mechanism of cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries; take the Belt & Road Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen top-level design for bilateral cooperation in science and technology; expand people-to-people exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation in science and technology; establish platforms for bilateral science and technology cooperation. The two sides also agreed to push forward cooperation in big projects in priority fields of common interest.

The two sides reviewed the implementation of projects since the 41st Session of the Committee; deliberated on and adopted a new bilateral program of intergovernmental projects on agriculture and food technology, health and biomedicine, biotechnology, information and communications technology, and material science among others.

After the meeting, the two sides signed the Protocol of the 42nd Session of the China-Romania Scientific and Technological Cooperation Committee.