Chinese and European science policy- makers have agreed here that they would initiate joint research programs and build big research facilities on information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

At the China-EU High-level Forum on Science and Technology Strategy, Janez Potocnik, European Union commissioner for science and research, said on Thursday that both EU members and China should develop global scientific knowledge through mobilizing a wide range of stakeholders from research, industry and financial institutions in Europe and China.

Public and private investment in scientific research should be increased, he said.

Xu Guanhua, Chinese minister of Science and Technology, said science and technology cooperation between China and the EU is increasingly important to their overall relationship.

The EU, which is leading the rest of the world in scientific research, and China, which thirstily needs advanced science and technology for social advancement, have a high degree of complementarity, Xu said.

European and Chinese participants to the two-day forum are discussing the world and China's science and technology strategy, science and technology policies and outlines for further cooperation.

China and the EU signed a science and technology agreement in 1998, laying a solid base for their further cooperation. By 2002, Chinese scientists participated in 82 research projects under the EU's Fifth Framework Program in the fields of information technology, energy, materials, life sciences, agriculture, environment and natural resources. The total funds financing the projects taken part in by the Chinese exceeded 92 million euros.

Since the EU opened its Sixth Framework Program (from 2002 to 2006) at the end of 2002, Chinese scientists have joined nearly 60 projects, with a total fund of 200 million euros, in telecommunication, materials and food safety.