Portugal and China defined five priority areas for cooperation in research and innovation at the 10th Joint Commission on Science and Technology between Portugal and China, held on 19 October in Beijing. The Portuguese minister of education, science and innovation, Fernando Alexandre, and the Chinese minister of science and technology, Yin Hejun, signed a Joint Declaration.

The priorities are “the ocean and the blue economy”, “energy, climate, batteries and hydrogen”, “agriculture, bioeconomy and food", "health, healthy ageing and medical technologies”, and “cultural heritage conservation through science”.

The meeting marked the resumption of the Commission's work. The two countries committed to developing, from 2027, a Portugal–China Joint Action Plan on Science and Innovation for 2027–2030.

The framework could include bilateral funding mechanisms for research and innovation, researcher mobility, technological collaboration between institutions and companies, networks of joint laboratories and research consortia.

The declaration underlines secure, transparent and reciprocal cooperation, with respect for academic freedom, scientific integrity and applicable legislation. It also provides for coordination with higher education, including academic mobility and joint doctoral supervision.

Technical meetings are planned for 2027. The declaration also envisages holding the 11th meeting of the Joint Commission in Portugal, in 2028.

(Source: Government of the Portuguese Republic, 19 October)