China Pudong Cadre College in Shanghai on Monday signed an agreement with the British Ministry of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on a one-year cooperation program in research on corporate social responsibility.

Pudong Cadre College is one of the three high-profile cadre training bases the Chinese government launched in March with the purpose of improving the governance capability of leading officials and corporate executives.

The other two are Jinggangshan Cadre College in east China's Jiangxi Province, and Yan'an Cadre College in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Under the agreement, the cooperation program is expected to work out a new model of corporate social responsibility which will absorb experience from developed countries and at the same time feature Chinese characteristics with the purpose of targeting the government's duty and role in advancing corporate social responsibilities.

The program will cost an investment of over 100,000 pound sterlings from both partners. Achievements from the cooperation program will be used to help improve trainees' recognition of corporate social responsibilities and their decision-making capabilities, sources from Pudong Cadre College said.

Sue Bishop, British consul general in Shanghai, said enterprises would make important contributions to preserving economic and social prosperity and sustainable development if they fully execute social responsibilities.

China and Britain have conducted cooperation in a wide range of fields such as trade, science and technology, education and culture, said the British consul general, who pledged to cooperate with the Chinese partner in encouraging and advancing more research and exchange of experience regarding corporate social responsibility.