The Israel Science Foundation (ISF) and the National Science
Foundation of China (NSFC) forged cooperation pacts in brief on
Tuesday evening, marking the start of further cooperation between
the two sides.
"It's a good beginning after both sides have decided to
cooperate with each other," said Professor J. Klafter from ISF
during a reception held for a NSFC delegation.
The Chinese delegation, led by Professor Zhu Zuoyan, Vice
President of NSFC, arrived in Israel on Monday.
According to the delegation, during their visit until January
12, the Chinese guests will meet with their Israeli counterparts on
future cooperation between the two sides.
Following the visit, an ISF delegation will be sent to China to
formally sign an agreement on scientific cooperation between the
two national foundations.
The ISF is Israel's predominant source of competitive grants
funding for basic research. Its roughly US$60 million annual budget
funds 1,300 grants a year.
The NSFC is an institution for the management of the National
Natural Science Fund, aimed at promoting and financing basic
research and some applied research in China.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2007)
