Group photo of delegates [IMAGE: CAS]

The Sino-German Scientific Cooperation Seminar co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Helmholtz Association and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina was held in Beijing on January 9. CAS President Hou Jianguo, Helmholtz President Otmar Wiestler, and President of Leopoldina Gerald Haug, attended the seminar and delivered speeches. CAS Vice President He Hongping presided over the seminar.

Hou warmly welcomed the joint delegation of Helmholtz and Leopoldina for their visit at the beginning of the New Year, praising their achievements in the long-term practical cooperation with Helmholtz. He acknowledged the global impact of the second “Science for Future” conference jointly held by the two sides, and the joint release of the Berlin Declaration: On the Path to Carbon Neutrality.

He said that CAS is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with Helmholtz and Leopoldina, establish an annual dialogue mechanism, deepen strategic communication, strengthen exchanges of young scientists and students, explore cooperation mechanisms in priority areas, and expand cooperation and sharing of major scientific and technological infrastructure, jointly contributing to exploring the frontiers of science and promoting sustainable development.

Wiestler and Haug thanked CAS for its warm reception and agreed with the proposal to further strengthen scientific and technological cooperation. Wiestler said that there are numerous thematic overlaps with CAS, both in terms of research priorities and infrastructure. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two sides have carried out in-depth and fruitful cooperation and have become strategic partners with mutual trust. He added, Helmholtz is willing to take the implementation of the new MoU as an opportunity to carry out more practical cooperation in key priority areas.

Hou (R, front) and Wiestler (L, front) sign the MoU [IMAGE: CAS]

Haug emphasized CAS is a vital partner for Leopoldina globally. Leopoldina remains committed to facilitating the third “Science for Future” conference, and actively promoting in-depth cooperation between Chinese and German scientific educational institutions in more areas.

Participants conducted in-depth discussions on key scientific and technological infrastructure, and research progress in related fields, deepening their understanding of key issues and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. After the seminar, a new MoU was signed. 

Source: Bureau of International Cooperation,

Chinese Academy of Sciences