On behalf of their respective organizations, Prof. Chen Zhu, CAS Vice President, and Prof. Gerhart Eigenberger, Vice Chairman of the German Research Foundation (DFG), signed on May 23 in Beijing the memorandum for jointly operation of the CAS Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP), marking the official start of the joint venture between the two.

 

CAS and DFG have had rewarding communication and cooperation in fields of scientific research for years, which has enhanced the understanding and friendship between the people of both countries, and promoted scientific development for both sides.

 

　  CAS President Lu Yongxiang made the proposal of joint construction as early as in February 2002 during his visit to Germany. To put the intention into effect, CAS Vice President Li Jiayang visited DFG on May 10th, 2004, for discussion on matters concerned in the joint construction, and the two parties had come to an agreement. On May 22, a delegation headed by Prof. Gerhart Eigenberger, vice president of DFG, came to China and visited ITP.

 

CAS and DFG will conduct cooperative research in multiple fields with ITP as the cooperation platform, and promote the progress of international Tibetan Plateau research.