The 3rd UK-China High Technology Forum was opened at Tsinghua University on Monday. It was followed by a series of workshops in fields ranging from energy, stem cell to space and aviation sciences. Both China and Britain sent a large delegation to the conference. Lord Sainsbury, the British Minister for Science and Innovation of the Department of Trade and Industry and competent Chinese officials from relevant departments, also attended the opening ceremony.

Kicked off by a great opening the forum is to lead to year-long activities aimed at promoting scientific and technological collaboration between Britain and China, said Lord Sainsbury later that evening at a reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence.

We have begun to see the fruits of this collaboration - said Minister citing the signing of an agreement with the Chinese Academy of Sciences early that afternoon as one example in his reception speech.

When asked to comment on the event in the broader context of the economic exchange between China and the UK the Minister told People's Daily Online that the government's role is to set up the stage for people in the scientific and technological circles as well as in the economic circles.

The aim is to set the process in motion and see what happens, said the Minister, things are different in the UK where technologies are often taken for granted. I wonder what kind of attitude the Chinese people hold toward science and technology nowadays - the Minister is very curious about the impact of science and technology on the lives of Chinese people.

A cordial atmosphere surrounded the reception that gathered dignitaries from the scientific and technological circles in China and the UK. They would continue to participate in branch meetings to be held the next day.

The UK-China High Technology Forum is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the UK Department of Trade and Industry and is seen as a long-term commitment on the both sides to scientific and technological exchange and collaboration between China and Britain.

By People's Daily Online