On the 7^th of June 2017, TMCD and CAS signed a MoU to reaffirm the two institutions collaboration. The signing of the MoU marks a continuation of collaborative work between TMCD and CAS, which first started in 2013. The success of cooperation has resulted in a series of research outputs in areas of innovation policy, science and technology strategy. Beyond research, the two organisations have also worked closely in other areas to foster deeper ties in establishing and disseminating policies. 

At the event, Professor Xiaolan Fu, the director of TMCD warmly welcomed the CAS delegation led by Counselor Minister Liu Weiping, the Vice President of CAS and Professor Jiaofeng Pan, the Director of the Bureau of Planning and Strategy, CAS. Professor Fu highlighted the importance of collaborating on research into Technology and Industrialization in Developing Countries and on China’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme. She invited her colleagues from across Oxford to join in on the next phase of collaborative partnership with CAS and documented the achievement of previous collaborations.

In his speech, Mr Weiping congratulated both centres for strengthing their collaboration. He explained that the MoU will help the two sides to serve government polices and developing innovative ideas with significant positive impact. Also in attendance, Oxford University Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Professor Ian Walmsley said he was pleased to witness the signing of the MoU and considered it a good start for further research. He said he hoped that the cooperation between the two sides could serve as a bridge between Oxford University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences for academic exchanges and research cooperation.

Professor Chris Adams, the Head of Oxford Department of International Development echoed the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor Fu. He congratulated everybody involved on the collaboration and said he was looking forward to more success from the partnership. Professor Pan highlighted past success of the joint efforts by the two centres, which culminated in the founding of the annual, Sino-UK Innovation and Development Forum. After the success of the inaugural conference last year, he expressed that he was pleased that planning for the second forum is already underway.

Professor Fu thanked all in attendance to witness the signing, including TMCD staff, ODID colleagues and students, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom and Chinese Academy of Sciences Personnel Bureau.