China, Portugal Sign Joint Statement on Science Cooperation 　　China and Portugal signed a joint statement June 16 on scientific and technological cooperation which was inked by Zhu Lilan, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology and Jose Mariano Gago, the Portuguese Minister of Science and Technology. 　　The statement said the Portuguese side proposes to appoint a Chinese-Portuguese Working Group for the study of the strategic potential and the current situation of Macao's science and technology sector, in preparation for a seminar on the subject in Macao next year. 　　It said the Chinese party appreciated the proposal and stressed the importance of the acceptance and involvement of the Macao Special Administration Region which will be established at the end of this year. 　　The statement said both parties agreed to support joint technical demonstration projects in China in order to show the results achieved by collaboration in the high-tech field and to promote economic development in both countries. 　　Both parties agreed to consider setting up a Chinese-Portuguese Working Group to carry out a feasibility study on the joint development of a medium-term program for wine production in China aimed at the global market. 　　The statement also stipulated the development of a regular program of advanced lectures by senior Chinese and Portuguese scientists to be carried out in Portuguese and Chinese Research institutions and universities. 　　As the Agreement of Science and Technology Cooperation Between China and the European Union was signed at the end of 1998, both parties expressed their interests in encouraging and promoting joint participation in the Fifth RTD Framework Program of the European Union by scientists from the two countries. HomeNews 1999-06-17 Page4 Full Story in Chinese