On October 26, 2011, in Seattle, Washington the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The two parties decided to cooperate in the fields of modern agriculture and global health. The plan includes developing high quality and low cost agricultural plants and animals, as well as bio-medicines and vaccines – to be used in China and in developing countries that lack natural resources, such as in South Asia and Africa. This is the first time for the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with an international NGO on a large scale in these fields. Bill Gates commented on the initiative, saying that China can play a key role in fostering innovation to reduce hunger and poverty, especially in today’s tough global economic environment. It was agreed that both sides will make monetary and labor contributions.
Source: Xinhua: October 27, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-10/27/c_122202204.htm