£53 million UK-China research to tackle global issues

The United Kingdom and China have agreed to a research partnership deal worth more than £50 million (US$90 million) to help tackle global issues like climate change, long-term renewable energy supplies and human diseases, writes Claire Shaw for the Guardian.

The move aims to build closer research links between the UK and China and will see both countries initially investing £53 million (US$90 million) equally in research projects. A further £200 million will be made available over the next five years.

The projects, finalised at a UK-China summit in London by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts and Chinese ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming, include: a £23 million research programme that will help build the basis for services to protect against extreme weather and prepare for a changing climate in Asia; £16 million of joint research partnerships to support advances in marine energy, regenerative medicine and stem cells, atmospheric pollution and human health, and sustaining the soil ecosystem; and £14 million of Newton Fellowships to provide opportunities for Chinese and UK researchers to develop meaningful collaborations with scientists in one another's countries.
Full report on the Guardian site