Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
Hon Paul Goldsmith
Minister of Science and Innovation
27 March 2017
Media Statement
China-NZ to collaborate on biomedical research
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith have welcomed the signing of a
bilateral cooperation arrangement in biomedical research between New Zealand and China.
The arrangement between the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) and China’s National Natural Science Foundation
(NSFC) was signed by HRC Chair Dr Lester Levy and NSFC Vice President Dr Liu Congqiang today.
“The Government has improving cancer care as a priority, with faster access and more support during treatment. This
arrangement will help further build on these improvements and contribute to even better outcomes for patients,” says Dr
Coleman.
“We want a health research system in which researchers, Government agencies and the commercial sector work together to
get the best outcomes.
“A more integrated system will deliver new treatments, new drugs and new technologies more quickly, both to improve the
health of New Zealanders and for export overseas.”
“This arrangement aims to strengthen existing and establish new collaborations in biomedical sciences between Chinese
and New Zealand researchers from universities and research institutions,” says Mr Goldsmith.
“The Government hopes it will foster breakthroughs in biomedical research that will advance the global development of
science and technology.
“It will also help to promote the mobility and career development of researchers within joint projects.
“The signing of this arrangement is a huge step in the right direction, and specific details of collaborative
opportunities will be developed over the coming months.”
ends