UK to advance targeted science cooperation with China

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance leads UK delegation of senior figures to China, opening up science opportunities that both countries can benefit from.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance leads UK delegation of senior figures to China, opening up science opportunities that both countries can benefit from

China is a science and tech powerhouse, spending almost £380 billion on R&D annually

National security will continue to be prioritised as part of pragmatic co-operation with China, while also unlocking opportunities to drive efforts to tackle climate change, improve healthcare, and more

Leading UK researchers working on some of the biggest challenges facing the UK – from tackling climate change to improving our health – will have their work boosted by new opportunities to collaborate with experts in China. 

A UK delegation made up of figures from the National Academies, universities sector, and UKRI and led by Science Minister Lord Vallance, will meet with Chinese politicians, academics and business leaders in Beijing today (Tuesday 11 November), to agree specific areas where the UK and China can work together on science, and where both countries stand to benefit. 

Today’s 11th meeting of the UK-China Joint Commission on Science and Technology is part of the UK’s consistent and pragmatic approach to China, which is helping to deliver economic growth and supporting UK jobs and businesses – including Trade Secretary Peter Kyle having secured over £1 billion of market access wins over 5 years for British firms, with our world-class car making and food and drink industries among them, as part of his visit to China in September. 

The Joint Commission Meeting taking place today will discuss 4 specific areas where the UK sees potential benefits to working more closely with China – looking at particular fields of research within climate change and environmental science, planetary science and astronomy, health research, as well as agriculture and food research.