Existing Mechanisms for International Cooperation
There has been a variety of bilateral and multilateral cooperative initiatives, such as the EU's Framework Programme, EuropeAid, AusAID, etc.
1. EU's Framework Programme
EU's Framework Programme is a major tool to support the creation of the European Research Area. The idea of a European Research Area grew out of the realization that research in Europe suffers from three weaknesses: insufficient funding, lack of an environment to stimulate research and exploit results, and the fragmented nature of activities and the dispersal of resources. The Treaty establishing the European Community provides for the creation of multiannual RTD (Research and Technological Development) programmes.
EU-China cooperation in Science and Technology started in the early eighties, and has notably increased during the EU's 4th and 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1994-2002). The main instrument has been the EU's programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation with Developing Countries (INCO). More than 100 EU projects have included Chinese partners, and China has been most active cooperation partner amongst the non-member states.
The 6th Framework Programme (FP6) will span the period 2002-2006 and will be one of the most important instruments to implement the "European Research Area". The FP6 research support of the European Union is designed to stimulate collaboration between European countries. Through the EU-China Science & Technology agreement signed in 1998, Chinese research partners can participate in all FP6 projects.
2. EuropeAid
Poverty, conflict and instability, wherever they are, affect the entire world. In the context of globalization, it is also in common European interest, to address these issues. EuropeAid, through the EC's external assistance programmes, contributes to such a response. Every year, the European Union provides over 7 billion euro in external assistance to more than 150 countries and territories to meet the daily challenge of improving lives worldwide.
In the European Commission, EuropeAid is a major player on the external assistance scene.
Regional Cooperation Programmes with Asia
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Asia-wide programmes
In the mid-1990s the Commission launched a series of initiatives to strengthen co-operation between the European Union and Asia, now referred to as the Asia-wide programmes:
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Asia Invest |
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Asia Urbs |
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Asia Pro Eco II |
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Asia IT & C |
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Asia-Link |
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Sub-regional programmes (ASEAN/SAARC)
ASEAN: Association of South East Asian Nations
SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation |
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Multi-country programmes corresponding to specific needs |
Bilateral Cooperation with China
In March 2002, the European Commission approved the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for China, which sets out the framework for EU co-operation with China during the period 2002-2006 (EC-China Country Strategy Paper 2002-2006). The co-operation strategy outlined in the CSP is designed to support the implementation of the EU's broad policy objectives regarding China. These include further integrating China into the world economy and world trading system; supporting China's transition to an open society based on the rule of law and respect for human rights; making better use of European resources by improving co-ordination between EU assistance and bilateral spending by Member States; and raising the EU's profile in China.
An indicative budget of �250 million is planned for the period 2002 - 2006 to support EU programmes in China. Reflecting the EU's strengths and priorities, the CSP proposes three priority areas for action:
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Economic and Social Reform: Around 50 per cent of the planned budget will be earmarked to support this process - with a particular focus on capacity building and the strengthening of institutions, to help China meet its new obligations as a WTO member. There will also be assistance in reform of the Chinese social security system, with a view to alleviating poverty and minimizing the side- effects of economic reform |
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Sustainable Development: 30 per cent of the indicative budget will be devoted to helping China pursue a better balance between environmental protection, social development and economic growth.
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Good Governance: 20 per cent of the budget will be available for initiatives which contribute to the promotion of the rule of law, the fostering of grass-roots democracy and Civil Society, and the protection of economic, social, political and civil rights.
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The EC-China National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2005-2006 provides for grants for � 150 million, the priorities are: Higher education, Intellectual respects, Rights co-operation, Governance Capacity Building and Support for Sectoral Dialogues.
There are currently some 40 on-going EC-China co-operation projects, financed through the EuropeAid- managed budget, with an overall budget of around �270 million.
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Beijing Software Enterprise Advisory Center 