RP-China agree on 10 S&T cooperation projects

By MARY CHARLOTTE FRESCO
MediaCore, STII

The People's Republic of China approved 10 of 27 science and technology-related projects proposed by the Philippine government through the Department of Science and Technology.  These are mainly technology transfer assistance in forms of study tours and training over the period 2004-2007.

This development follows bilateral commitment forged in the last 13th session of the joint commission meeting of the RP-China Agreement on S&T held in EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City, April 21-22.

Representatives from China's Ministry of Science and Technology's department of international cooperation approved the proposed projects such as utilization of low enthalpy geothermal fields (for electricity/power generation), soil erosion control and landslide prevention, application of tide-generating force resonance (a modern technique used in forecasting heavy rains), tropical cyclone track prediction by satellite data application, environmental management in industrial estates, ecosystem reconstruction and phyto-remediation of mined-out lands, and processing of Philippine herbal products.

Liu Jun, delegation head explained that the projects selected have immense potentials in producing benefits.  Research in such areas have not been fully tapped and explored, he added.

The Philippines in turn approved nine S&T projects submitted by the People's Republic of China in such areas like remote sensing, disaster mitigation and management, meteorology, traditional medicine, and metrology.

The mode of cooperation consists of study and exchange visits, capacity building through international training, and knowledge sharing through joint R&D.

A team of 2-5 Filipino researchers for each project will be sent to designated areas in China that are equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities for a three-day or one week intensive training.

China also pledged to send predetermined number of Chinese scientists and experts to the Philippines to conduct technical training among Filipino counterparts and vice versa.

The two countries agreed to ensure focused and consolidated efforts in implementing all the new projects since only half of the projects covered by the 11th and 12th protocols were implemented.

"We need to take closer look and study the reasons and factors that setback the implementation of both sides.  We need to find ways and means by which we can improve our present S&T collaboration," LUI Jun stressed.

The RP-China Agreement on S&T was signed on 14 March 1978 in Manila.

Other Philippine agencies involved in the latest RP-China S&T cooperation program are DOST's Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Environment and Natural Resources' National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Philippine National Oil Company's Energy Development Corporation, Philippine Center for Traditional and Asian Medicine, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Energy, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau, and Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology.