In its initial recommendations, the China Task Force identified science and technology as an area for increased collaboration. The “UK and China Partners in Science” initiative, co-ordinated by the FCO and UKTI, was launched in 2005. This initiative was largely focused on strengthening academic links between UK and Chinese research organisations and universities.

Recognising the importance of business in the development of innovation and technology, CBBC has established its Innovation and Technology Forum to complement the work of the FCO and UKTI and to enhance the exploitation of business innovation in the UK and China. 

In recent months the growing commitment by the Chinese government to address the need for China to devote more resources to innovation and technology has been emphasised, as evidenced by the increase in high-profile, official pronouncements.

For example, the China Daily of 14th March 2006 noted: “President Hu Jintao said at the National Science and Technology Conference [on January 9] that innovation on our own constitutes the core of the country’s competitiveness. Borrowing foreign funds and importing foreign technologies is certainly important, especially at the initial stages of China’s reform and opening up. But borrowing and importing can never replace innovation.

“The country’s current situation is by no means optimistic. Only 3 per cent of enterprises own intellectual property rights and more than 90 per cent of the Chinese enterprises have not yet applied for patent rights. In general, Chinese corporations’ investment in research and development is lower than not only developed countries, but also many developing nations.”

Among the areas listed as priorities at that conference, President Hu said technologies dealing with energy and water resources, and environmental protection should be developed first. Other key areas include information technology, biotechnology, hi-tech materials, aerospace and aviation.

At the same time, the UK government recognises that there is a need to “attract more business research and development to Britain and promote Britain’s innovative firms abroad” (The Times, 21st March 2006). In the same article, it was noted that “across sectors as diverse as financial services, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, creative industries and design, science and medical research, Britain is a leading world centre, attracting multinational companies to set up headquarters in London.”

An opportunity exists to link UK-China science, innovation and technology activities to many more businesses, including the many technology-based British SMEs with China interests.

Co-ordinating a response
This is why the CBBC Innovation & Technology Forum is timely. Chaired by Nigel Kerby, managing director, Mylnefield Research Services and a CBBC board member, the activities of the forum are guided by a steering group which has combined expertise in science, technology and knowledge transfer, intellectual property protection and licensing, China business, financial services and venture capital. In time, it is our aim to broaden the scope of the group to involve industry representatives from key priority sectors. It will help British technology-based companies to improve their business in the following ways:
• Facilitation: helping to promote contacts and dialogue between British businesses and their Chinese counterparts.
• Information: being a clearing house for technological knowledge and information on the plans, capabilities and needs of the respective parties while increasing the level of exchange between research and corporate organisations in China and the UK. This will ensure that synergies are identified and exploited for the
benefit of British and Chinese business.
• Opportunities: in collaboration with other UK organisations and bodies (commercial, research and government), helping British businesses (SMEs in particular) to identify and benefit from Chinese initiatives and technology opportunities emanating from business, universities and research organisations.
• Continuity: fostering long-term links and knowledge on behalf of business interests related to science and technology programmes while contributing creatively to shorter-term, government-led initiatives.

Activities of the Forum to date include:
1. Engagement with stakeholders and other interested parties including UKTI, FCO, Demos, the Royal Society and others. The forum will continue to co-operate with colleagues in the FCO and UKTI to plan events to follow up on the initial success of the “UK and China: Partners in Science” initiative.

2. Industry consultation. The forum is currently undertaking a consultation exercise with different sectors of UK industry, including CBBC member companies. A questionnaire has been compiled to enable CBBC to get a better understanding of the nature of each target company and its activities in the areas of innovation and technology and research and development, and to find out how they think the CBBC Innovation & Technology Forum can help develop their company’s business with China.

3. Developing the concept of an ‘a2b2a’ portal. A portal between UK and China for the dissemination of knowledge and information on innovation between academia (“a”) and business (“b”) and vice-versa.

To improve collaboration between organisations, better sources of information are required. Through an easily accessible central source of information, opportunities could exist for UK companies and research providers to partner with Chinese organisations to research, develop and promote innovative products and services. As intellectual property is an increasingly important asset to UK and Chinese companies, universities and public and private research organisations, the portal could also provide a signposting facility to sources of expertise on intellectual property as well as providing links to sources of funding and centres of excellence for research.

This concept will have considerable opportunities in China, a country that is rapidly developing its own IP often without significant exploitation outside its national boundaries.
In order to facilitate better partnering, commitment and financial support from the respective national governments are essential.

4. Events and networking. The forum will also deliver a range of events to facilitate networking between UK and Chinese companies and research organisations, such as meetings with inward delegations from China, regional seminars in UK and missions to China. The organisation of a national event in 2007 focusing on the opportunities for closer collaboration with China in the area of science, innovation and technology is being considered.
 
If you would like to be involved in CBBC’s Innovation & Technology Forum or further information, contact Chris Cotton at chris.cotton@cbbc.org