ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Thursday agreed to reassure scientists’ exchange and joint research projects in the fields of Science & Technology.

It was decided in a meeting held here between the Federal Minister for Science & Technology, Rana Tanveer Hussain and the Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Mr Yao Jing, said a news released here on Thursday.

Yasmeen Masood, Federal Secretary for Science & Technology, Dr Shahzad Alam, Chairman Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Dr S.M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director, CIIT, Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and other senior officers of attached departments attended the meeting.

The minister briefed the ambassador that both the governments of Pakistan and China had a long and joint history of technological cooperation and signed MoU and agreements on joint research programmes.

The Ambassador of China offered numerous training and scholarships programmes for Pakistani scientists and technological experts.

He also showed his government’s keen interest in the new innovative strategy of science & technology.

Furthermore, he said the China aspires a lot of impressions in the bilateral programmes in science & technology with the government of Pakistan and henceforth, with the ministry of science & technology.

The meeting proposed to accentuate cooperation in the establishment of science & technology complex, science city and technology parks under the patronage of both countries.

The meeting further added to explore new development initiatives unleashed by CPEC. The chair highlighted that new wave of technology like bio technology and info technology is much needed in Pakistan.

The meeting sought technical help from its Chinese counterparts for the establishment of National Centre for Transfer of Technology and Centre of Excellence in Natural Medicine. The meeting further proposed a state of the art Joint Laboratory Project facility in Gwadar.

Pakistan and China can seize the opportunity of the Belt and Road initiative, and jointly work towards a new level of bilateral Science & Technology cooperation, the meeting concluded.