The Portuguese Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, and the Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Helena Canhão, travelled to China last week with the aim of negotiating a Portugal–China Joint Action Plan on Science and Innovation for 2027–2030. The itinerary includes stops in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai.

The agenda provides for the reactivation of the Joint Science and Technology Commission. The 10th meeting is scheduled for 19 October, in Beijing, with the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun. The signing of a Joint Declaration on cooperation priorities is planned.

The Portuguese Government also intends to resume negotiations on a mutual recognition agreement for academic qualifications, seeking to establish equivalences between Portuguese bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and the corresponding Chinese qualifications. According to Fernando Alexandre, improving these mechanisms is essential for student mobility and the circulation of talent.

The delegation includes representatives of public bodies, universities, polytechnic institutes and research centres. The programme includes visits to academic and scientific institutions and a meeting with the Portuguese academic and business community in the Shanghai region.

(Source: Jornal Económico, 14 October)