Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and China

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the People’s Republic of China

Decision 2000/16/EC – Conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the People’s Republic of China

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION?

The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation between the European Community, now the European Union (EU), and China, aiming at encouraging, developing and facilitating cooperative research and development activities in fields of science and technology of common interest.

By its decision, the Council of the European Union approved the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the European Community.

KEY POINTS

Activities carried out under the agreement are based on a number of principles:

mutual benefit;
reciprocal access to activities;
timely exchange of information;
appropriate protection of intellectual property rights.

Fields of cooperation

The agreement covers all areas of research, technological development and demonstration.

Activities

Cooperative activities may include the following:

the participation of Chinese research entities in research, technological development and demonstration projects under the EU framework programme for research and innovation, and the reciprocal participation of EU-based research entities in Chinese projects in similar sectors;
the pooling of research, technological development and demonstration projects;
visits and exchanges of scientists and technical experts;
the joint organisation of scientific seminars, conferences, symposia and workshops, and the participation of experts in those activities;
concerted actions;
the exchange and sharing of equipment and materials;
the exchange of information on practices, laws, regulations and programmes relevant to cooperation under this agreement.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement was signed on 22 December 1998 and entered into force on 14 December 1999 for an initial period of 5 years. It is renewed after evaluation during the fourth year of each successive 5-year period. It has been tacitly renewed most recently in 2019 for an additional period of 5 years.

BACKGROUND

Cooperation between the EU and China was enhanced in 2012 with the signature of a joint declaration setting up a high-level EU–China innovation cooperation dialogue. Relations between the EU and China are more broadly governed by the 2013 EU–China 2020 strategic agenda for cooperation.

For further information, see:

The European Union and China (European Union External Action Service)

For further information about research and innovation cooperation with China, see:

China (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision 2000/16/EC of 2 December 1999 concluding the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 6, 11.1.2000, p. 39).

Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 6, 11.1.2000, pp. 40–45).

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