Vice Minister SHANG met with the delegation headed by Madame Catherine Brechignac, president of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) on Nov. 21 in Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). Both sides exchanged views on the future development of science and technology communities in the two countries and held in-depth discussion about the achievements and prospects of Sino-French science and technology cooperation; moreover, they reached the consensus on establishing joint S&T teams in the fields of priority, such as basic research, information technology, integration of western and traditional Chinese medicine, new energy, etc。

CNRS is the biggest research organization of strongest R&D strength in France and the first one of its kind that started collaboration with China. It has 26, 000 staff members, featured by 80﹪ of its research offices enjoying close ties with universities. Therefore, CNRS greatly facilitates the interaction between academic and research circles. In 2006 its science and technology expenditure amounted to 2.738 billion Euro.