The Pirbright Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
The agreement builds on existing collaborations between Pirbright and China’s national agricultural research institutes and universities.
Established in 1957 and headquartered in Beijing, CAAS is affiliated to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and oversees 34 affiliated research institutes across the country.
During the visit, guests shared presentations on key research areas, including African Swine Fever Virus and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus, and took a tour of the site.
The delegation led by Mr. YANG Zhenhai - Secretary of the Leading Party Group, CAAS (Vice-Ministerial Level) included Professor Zheng Haixue, Director-General of the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute at CAAS, who was a visiting scientist at Pirbright 15 years ago.
Institute director, Professor Bryan Charleston; Director of Research, Professor John Hammond, and Dr Don King, Head of the Vesicular Disease Reference Laboratory Group welcomed the visitors.
“Signing the MoU brings the institute and the academy closer together,” said Bryan. “It builds on a long-standing collaboration between both countries, reinforced by Professor Zheng’s friendship with Pirbright colleagues, and allows us to work together in a spirit of collaboration.”
Image caption: Pirbright director, Professor Bryan Charleston, and Professor Zheng Haixue, Director-General of the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute at CAAS, sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
