Leaders of the European Union and China got together on November 30 during the 12th EU-China Summit on Climate Change held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Both side reaffirmed their continued support for each other's peaceful and sustainable development. The two sides signed the EU – China S&T Cooperation Agreement extended in 2004 and the Memorandum of Understanding on the 2nd phase of Near Zero Emission Coal plant (NZEC) project. As a world growing power in science field, the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced 35 new academicians reaching the highest national academic achievement in science and technology. The same institution in collaboration with Inspur Group have started a joint project to develop the third-generation genome sequencing instrument, which might slash the cost of genome sequencing by 99 percent.

On November 19, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has celebrated its 60th anniversary hosting a welcoming banquet after a day of visits of the CAS Institutes in Beijing and the Science and Technology Accomplishment Exhibition specially prepared for this event. The month of November has also seen the visit of Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research Mauro Dell'Ambrogio to China. An international conference on Traditional Medicine was held in Guangzhou. China became the second country with the ability to develop a teraflop supercomputer system called the "Milky Way One" which ranked fifth in the world and first in Asia. Researchers have created a smart transgenic rat. And, last but not least, next June in the north-eastern city of Harbin, China will host the first International Humanoid Robot Olympic Games.

”The 2009 Evaluation of Disciplines” has been published by the China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Centre (CDGDC). This University ranking shows the best Chinese universities, particularly in the field of social sciences. New efforts have also been made this month to counter global warming's effects. While Taiwan showed its intentions to participate in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, China's urban planning experts called for a substantial implementation of low carbon concept in city development strategy to avoid environmental crisis amid rapid urbanization. New discoveries have also been made: the world's largest dinosaur fossil gallery has been found and new-type explosives detectors have been produced to help ensure security in the subway for the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010.

The Sino-Swiss Architecture Colloquium organised by the Swiss Embassy in Beijing gave excellent insights into the different approaches the two countries take in urban planning policies. In the context of the People's Republic of China's 60th Anniversary since she founded on 1 October 1949, the Ministry of Science and Technology reflects on the major achievements China has accomplished so far. The Three Gorges will be optimised to produce more energy. China's first female astronaut is under training. The first A (H1N1) vaccination operation proved successful. Joint management training programmes on the rise. The Chinese Science Minister was a happy man when the first Chinese automobile wind tunnel started in operation.

In August, the Swiss State Secretary of Health visited China to discuss about global health hazards, reforming healthcare systems and traditional Chinese medicine; the first “Global Health Diplomacy” executive training course as well as an “International Scientific Symposium on Influenza A/H1N1 Pandemic Response and Preparedness” were held in Beijing; CAS research program on the invasion mechanism of major viruses to receive fund from 973 programme; China mulls renewable energy development fund; China's pressing pollution problem and its water saving strategies, etc.

The Ministry of Education decides who the best universities are when it comes to ranking and funding. Breakthroughs in stem cell research produced man-made mice. The government will boost new industries to protect the environment with money and resources. New technology is implemented in stores for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Overseas returned scholars are competing for rural jobs for the first time. The 100 golden criteria are set for perfect spacemen. RMB100 billion yuan will be spent on medical equipment by 2011. Before the West meets the East heart and soul, there is much scrutinizing both ways.

The President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Eichler, and his team visited China in May, basking fruitful agreements with their Chinese partners in science and education. China's science and technology budget sees a 25% rise in 2009, more so than the 20% increase on average in the past ten years. China's bio energy development will eventually replace 30% of oil imports. The largest solar power plant in the world is being built near Beijing. The Swiss Embassy team building day landed in Airbus Tianjin A320 assembly line.

A close look at the education in Western China shows that the region is under-funded but has great potential to develop. Chinese Academy of Sciences University is to recruit from around the world for talents. Science and technology is benefiting our lives as shown in the latest Beijing International High-tech Expo.

Scientists in space technology see the 2nd navigation satellite shoot up into the sky. Stem cell research in China has been given more light and is seeing more results. A study shows that the forests in China are helping reducing CO2. Archaeologists are using robots to find hidden treasures.

An independent evaluation of the Chinese participation in the EU Framework Programmes showed some insights into the pattern of Sino-EU science cooperation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is investing into China's science education with the Ministry of Education and the local provincial government. More and more Chinese scientists work at international levels, witnessed by their achievements and a database, constructed by Thomson Reuters and CAS.

The latest OECD working paper put the Chinese innovation policies in perspective with other leading science and technology power houses. In 2009, China announces that it will invest not only in Chinese scientists, but also in international talents, with the support of NSFC funds.

Chinese leaders remain committed to invest heavily in science and innovation. China's input into S&T has hit a record high in 2008. The strategic changes announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences underline that S&T innovation will be equally important for the future of China as technology transfer. The economic slowdown is beginning to show its impact in the field of higher education: The growing unemployment rate in China forced graduates to seek temporary haven in further studies, and some went abroad, evidenced by the increases of the number of students going to the US which soared up nearly 20% in 2008.