Canada-China agreement on scientific and technological cooperation

SUBJECT CATEGORY:

Environmental Cooperation (Science & Technology)

TYPE OF AGREEMENT / INSTRUMENT: Bilateral

FORM:

Legally-binding treaty

STATUS:

  • Signed by Canada - January 16, 2007
  • Ratified by Canada - July 17, 2008
  • A Joint Action Plan will track results from 2013 - 2015

LEAD & PARTNER DEPARTMENTS:

Lead:

  • Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development,
  • International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada)
  • China Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
  • China Association For International Exchange of Personnel of the People’s Republic of China (CAIEP)

Partners:

Environment Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, National Research Council, Natural Resources Canada, Other Canadian Departments as needed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Web Links:

Contacts:

EC Inquiry Centre

COMPENDIUM EDITION:

January 2015

REFERENCE #:

B-EC-1/EN

PDF; 618 KB

Objective

To establish a framework for cooperation in scientific and technological research, which will extend and strengthen the conduct of cooperative activities in areas of common interest and encourage the application of the results of such cooperation to their economic and social benefit. Areas of Cooperative Activities shall be jointly decided in writing from time to time by the China-Canada Joint Committee (CCJC).

Key Elements

A three year action plan has been developed emphasizing:

  • Partnerships: Foster the development of collaborations and partnerships to promote and advance research in areas of mutual priority by supporting joint projects, workshops, networking, visits etc.;
  • Talent: Facilitate the movement of personnel and ideas through industry and academic exchanges;
  • Innovation: Accelerate technology commercialization for the economic and social benefit of both countries.

Expected Results

The CCJC meetings will track the results of activities under the Action Plan. The CCJC expects to:

  • Develop partnership opportunities where advantageous.
  • Remove barriers for the exchange of qualified Talent between governments, academic institutions and private enterprise.
  • Commercialize technologies for the benefit of both countries.

Canada’s Involvement

The Government of Canada recognizes the role of innovation in stimulating economic growth and supports research and development projects that can lead to job creation and enhanced standards of living for all Canadians. As the Government’s sector lead in environmental science and technology, Environment Canada will be an active contributor to this agreement. Science, technology, and innovation are fundamental to facilitating economic progress and development, and increasing enterprise capacity. China and Canada offer complementary expertise. International cooperation can strengthen relations between our two countries.

Through an Action Plan, the Canada-China Joint Committee intends to support joint initiatives that encourage technological commercialization for the purposes of accelerating economic growth, increase international competitiveness, and solve global challenges.

Results / Progress

Activities

The CCJC has continued to meet, most recently in October 2013, to discuss furthering a number of identified activities occurring in both Canada and China. The activities described in detail in the annex to the meeting minutes are ongoing (Science, Technology, and Innovation Action Plan 2013-2015).

Results

As of 2012, the ISTPP Canada reports platform results of:

  • The funding of 17 high quality bilateral R&D projects in sectors such as life sciences, natural resources, agriculture, energy, environment and information and communications technologies (ICT); these projects engage core participants from small- and medium-sized companies, multinationals, universities, and other centers of innovation; and
  • The conduct of 27 Partnership Development Activities that engaged more than 500 participants from industry, academia and government; these initiatives have led to more than 50 collaborations to date.

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