Panels

October 25th, 2006, (morning)

Research in the European Seventh Framework Program and the Chinese Eleventh Five-Year Plan on Telecommunications

Chair: TBD
Panelists: TBD

In 2006 and 2007, China and Europe start their next iteration of instruments for funding research and development – namely the Chinese Eleventh Five-Year plan and the European Seventh Framework Program.

China started its 11th Five-Year plan in 2006, which addresses also the Science and Technology with a budget of RMB 71.6 billion in 2006 from government, with an increase of 19.2% compared with the preceding year. The National Guidelines for Medium- and Long-term Plans for Science and Technology Development (2006-2020) sets a target to raise the weight of China’s research and development expenditures in GDP to 2.5% or above, with an S&T advancement contribution rate reaching 60%. The Five-Year Plan projected an eight percent growth rate for 2006, and 7.5 percent for the five years by 2010 on the basis of reduced energy consumption and pollutant discharge.

Similarly, the European Framework Programme (FP) is the European Union's main instrument for funding research and development. The FP is proposed by the European Commission and adopted by Council and the European Parliament following a co-decision procedure. FPs have been implemented since 1984 and cover a period of five years with the last year of one FP and the first year of the following FP overlapping. The current FP is FP6, which will be running up to the end of 2006. The European Seventh Framework Program (FP7) will be fully operational as of 1 January 2007 and will expire in 2013. It is designed to build on the achievements of its predecessor towards the creation of the European Research Area, and carry it further towards the development of the knowledge economy and society in Europe.

The European Commission proposes a total budget of EUR 72 726 million addressing four main objectives through specific programmes on Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. International cooperation especially with China is one important aspect and should be reflected in the project proposals.

This panel will address these upcoming new research and development programs and enlighten the opportunities for industry and academia to participate utilizing the offered instruments. The panellists will provide an overview and will introduce and discuss the upcoming opportunities and challenges including different strategies emphasizing potentials for cooperating in research projects. Special attention will be put on the support of European-Chinese cooperation.

Links to European FP 7 and Chinese 5 year plan: