NIH leaders celebrate 30 years of research with China

November - December, 2009 | Volume 8, Issue 6

More than 100 cancer experts from the United States and China gathered in Beijing recently to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the 1979 Health Protocol between the two countries and to discuss new opportunities for future scientific cooperation.

Participants, including Fogarty Director Dr. Roger I. Glass, reviewed the history and scientific accomplishments of joint U.S.-China research and research training efforts over the last three decades, and identified emerging opportunities for future cooperation in areas including molecular epidemiology, genomics, proteomics and nanotechnology.

Chinese meeting co-chair Professor Qimin Zhan, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, noted, “I look forward to new collaborations. As a result of these discussions at the meeting, we will find new points, some common ground and common interests for future projects. I’m confident of that.”

National Cancer Institute Director Dr. John E. Niederhuber, other NCI leaders and scientists, and their Chinese counterparts discussed joint efforts on a range of topics including cancer research, occupational and environmental health, tobacco control, and complementary and alternative medicine.

“Large numbers of Chinese scientists trained in the United States are returning to leadership positions in China’s biomedical research sector," said NCI Deputy Director Dr. Anna Barker, the U.S. co-chair of the meeting. These interactions have helped to further strengthen the countries’ relationships, facilitating communication and mutual understanding, she added.

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