Innovation and Science
The science and research relationship is a key component of the broader Australia-China relationship. In 1980, China was one of the first countries to sign a science and technology treaty with Australia and it has become Australia’s third biggest scientific publications partner after the United States and the United Kingdom. At the Shanghai World Expo 2010, during Partners for a Better Future: Australia-China Science and Technology Week, the two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of the treaty signing, looking forward together to a stronger future in innovation, science and research cooperation.
Recent highlights in the bilateral relationship include:
February 2012: Senator Chris Evans, Australian Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Dr Wan Gang met in Beijing on 20 February and affirmed that science and research will continue to be a key area of bilateral relations. Senator Evans commended the report on Science and Research Collaboration between Australia and China released by DIISRTE to Dr Wan Gang.
August 2011: Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, visited China accompanied by newly-appointed Secretary Dr Don Russell and Deputy Secretary Ms Patricia Kelly to meet key Chinese partners in science and research collaboration. Minister Carr also addressed the opening of the 8th Australia-China Joint Science and Technology Commission (JSTC) meeting in Shanghai and signed the MOU on the Management of the Australia-China Science and Research Fund with Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Dr Wan Gang.
March 2011: His Excellency Dr Wan Gang, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, visited Australia as a Guest of Government for meetings with the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr and the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism Martin Ferguson. His program also included meetings and MOU signings with state governments in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, visits to research institutions and engagements with industry.
November 2010: The President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Lu Yongxiang, visited Australia to attend the Australia-China Food Security Symposium in South Australia and to meet leaders of Australia’s science sector in several cities. Australia’s Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr, hosted a dinner for Professor Lu in Canberra.
November 2010: The President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor Zhou Ji, visited Australia. He met with Minister Carr and other Australian science and research leaders including the then Chief Scientist for Australia, Professor Penny Sackett, and the CEO of the Australian Research Council, Professor Margaret Sheil.
August 2010: DIISR Deputy Secretary Patricia Kelly and the Chief Scientist of Australia, Professor Penny Sackett, visited China at the head of a large delegation of eminent scientists and policy makers to celebrate Partners for a Better Future: Australia-China Science and Technology Week at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The focal point of the week was a dinner celebrating the 30th anniversary of the bilateral science treaty.
Main collaboration mechanisms and programs include:
Joint Science and Technology Commission (JSTC)
Bilateral discussions occur through the Joint Science and Technology Commission (JSTC) which is jointly chaired by Australian Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
The 8th JSTC meeting was held in Shanghai, China in August 2011, The Joint Communiqué from the meeting is available here. The next JSTC is expected to be held in 2013 in Australia.
Australia-China Science and Research Fund
Following the announcement of the new Australia-China Science and Research Fund in April 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed and joint operational guidelines for the new fund have been agreed between the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.
Now that the bilateral arrangements are in place, the Australia-China Science and Research Fund will become operational in Australia once the Australian program guidelines have been approved and the grants management system has been established.
More detailed information about the Australian arrangements for the ACSRF can be found at www.innovation.gov.au/ACSRF. Enquiries can be directed to [email protected].
Academies Symposium Series
DIISR and MOST support annual symposia between the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Themes of the symposia held to date are: living sustainability (2004), biotechnology and nanotechnology (2005), energy (2006), sustaining global ecosystems (2007), remote sensing (2008), sustainable coastal and deltaic systems (2009) and food security (2010), green materials and recycling economy (2011). The next symposium will be held in 2012 in Australia.
Science & Technology News
Reports, bulletins and other information-sharing initiatives which improve understanding of Australia-China science and research collaboration, and the impact of those activities, can be found on the Knowledge Exchange website.
Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin (no longer published)
Links to Bulletins (in reverse chronological order)
• May – July 2011 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 270KB] [ RTF 1M]
• April 2011 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 196KB] [ RTF 899KB]
• March 2011 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 187KB] [ RTF 1445KB]
• February 2011 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 163KB] [ RTF 1.57MB]
• November 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 148KB] [ RTF 1.3MB]
• October 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin PDF 248KB [ RTF 3MB]
• September 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 211 KB]
• June 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 175 KB]
• May 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 175 KB]
• April 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 166 KB]
• March 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 156 KB]
• February 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 220 KB]
• January 2010 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 179 KB]
• November 2009 | Australia-China IS&T News Bulletin [ PDF 151 KB]