Italy and China signed on Friday a declaration of intent to boost scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

The accord calls for the setting up of a 10-member joint workshop which will have the task of pinpointing the ways and means to bolster bilateral cooperation and formulate pilot projects in the areas of food science, the environment, space, nuclear physics and health.

The declaration was signed by Italian Foreign Undersecretary Stefania Craxi, who is responsible for relations with Asian countries, and Chinese Vice Minister for Science and Technology Cao Jianlin.

According to Craxi, the accord "falls within the framework of the excellent bilateral relations which exist between Rome and Beijing."

The Chinese vice minister said "we find ourselves faced with new challenges -- including those of energy, climate and the health of our citizens -- which we can only tackle through technological and scientific development."

The declaration of intent was signed at the Italian Foreign Ministry marking the 30th anniversary of the first accord for scientific, technological cooperation between Italy and China.

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2008)