Over £50 million of research deals agreed with China

Over £50 million of joint research programmes in areas such as renewable energy and human disease have been agreed by the UK and China.

The Chineses Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming signed the agreement at the UK-China Summit which will implement a five-year plan for the UK-China Research and Innovation Partnership Fund.

The programmes include a £23 million project, led by the Met Office, that will help build the basis for services to protect against extreme weather; £16 million worth of partnerships, led by the Research Councils UK, to support advances in marine energy, regenerative medicine and atmospheric pollution; and £14 million of Newton Fellowships to provide the opportunity for Chinese and UK researchers to collaborate.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “The world faces a number of global challenges, and high quality science and innovation and their application are essential for identifying long-term solutions.

“By working together, the UK andChina’s ability to produce higher quality research and create opportunities to develop and commercialise new innovative technologies are greatly increased.

“The UK-China Research and Innovation Partnership Fund is an exciting new model of collaboration between the UK and China, which builds upon the excellent relationship we already share in science and innovation.”