Hou (L) signs an MoU with the the Max Planck Society in Germany.

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) President Hou Jianguo led a delegation to visit Germany and the Netherlands from October 27 to 31 at the invitation of the two countries’ research institutes. 

During his visit to Germany, Hou met with Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, and attended a series of celebratory events for the 50th anniversary of cooperation between the two sides. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for co-organizing summer school projects at the meeting. 

When visited the Helmholtz Association, Hou held talks with its President Otmar Wiestler. They were briefed on the latest progress of the joint working group and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in climate change, carbon neutrality, health, and aging. 

Hou (R) meets with Otmar Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association.

In addition, the two sides reached a consensus on signing inter-institutional cooperation agreements, sharing major scientific and technological infrastructure, and promoting exchanges between young scientists and graduate students. 

In Germany, Hou also attended the second “Science for Future” conference between CAS and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. He signed and issued the “Berlin Declaration: On the Path to Carbon Neutrality” with the academy’s President Gerald Haug. 

Hou (R) signs the “Berlin Declaration: On the Path to Carbon Neutrality” with Gerald Haug, President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

During his stay in the Netherlands, Hou met with the President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Marileen Dogterom, with whom he signed a memorandum of cooperation and conducted in-depth discussions on further strengthening collaboration in the fields of stem cells, synthetic biology, neuroscience, and cultivation of young talents.  

Hou (L, front) shakes hands with President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Marileen Dogterom, after signing an MoU.

Hou also went to the Dutch Research Council, where he held talks with its President Marcel Levi, and signed a new memorandum of scientific cooperation on behalf of both parties. They agreed to continue funding research projects, further strengthen strategic communication between institutions, and promote continuous equal and mutually beneficial cooperation among their subordinate institutions. 

Hou (3rd, R) renews a memorandum of scientific cooperation with Marcel Levi, President of the Dutch Research Council.

During this outgoing tour, Hou expressed that CAS is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with research institutes in Germany and the Netherlands and to promote the greater role of science and technology in addressing global challenges, and hopes to further enhance dialogue and communication between scientists of the two countries, contributing to the advancement of science and the well-being of humanity.  

The heads of the German and Dutch scientific research institutes stated that CAS is one of their most important partners, and that they are looking forward to more substantive cooperation, pooling the wisdom and strength of scientists around common goals, and benefiting human society with new knowledge.  

Source: Bureau of International Cooperation, 

Chinese Academy of Sciences