Netherlands and China Renew Important MoU
The Netherlands and China renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in late September, previously signed in 2011. By renewing their agreement both nations reconfirm their commitment to strengthening their cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. The MoU was signed by Dutch ministers Robbert Dijkgraaf (Minister of Education, Culture, and Science) and Micky Adriaansens (Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy). This agreement highlights the need to carefully consider both the opportunities and potential risks associated with collaboration with China. In a similar vein, other European Union (EU) member states and the United States are also renewing their MoUs with China, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges.
Robbert Dijkgraaf acknowledges that the Netherlands and the EU are facing a range of pressing global societal challenges, including climate change, food scarcity, an aging population, and the imperative for medical research. Due to the complexity of these challenges, they cannot be effectively tackled in isolation, thereby emphasizing the significance of sustained scientific cooperation.
Dijkgraaf emphasizes that the Netherlands and China already have well-established collaborations across numerous fields. Both countries stand to benefit from these collaborations: China possesses advanced expertise in certain technological fields with applications in healthcare, while the Netherlands offers substantial knowledge in sectors like agriculture, water management, and healthcare. Therefore, for Dutch knowledge institutions, China represents an essential partner. Consequently, the Netherlands aims to continue forging cooperation with China where it aligns with societal objectives and bolsters the Dutch knowledge sector.
While Dijkgraaf acknowledges the potential challenges associated with international cooperation, he underscores the importance of establishing collaboration in a sustainable and secure manner. The MoU provides a framework for guiding scientific cooperation, encapsulating fundamental prerequisites that emphasize values the Netherlands deems essential when engaging in scientific collaboration with other countries. These prerequisites include ensuring the autonomy of research institutions to conduct independent and impartial research, as well as adhering to ethical research principles that safeguard the health, safety, and privacy of research participants, citizens, and consumers. This underscores a commitment to ensuring that cooperation with China and other nations adheres to core values and ethical standards.