The United Nations main cultural body UNESCO and the Chinese government signed a memorandum of understanding in Paris Wednesday to enhance their partnership in the field of education.

In the memorandum, China expressed its willingness to contribute to the development of education worldwide, in particular for developing countries.

The Chinese government agreed to host and arrange short-term research and study visits to China for international rural education experts and visiting scholars.

China will also launch an inter-regional cooperation project on rural education in Sub-Saharan Africa within the framework of UNESCO's Regional Medium-Term Strategy.

The projects will be organized through the International Research and Training Center for Rural Education (INRULED).

UNESCO agreed to keep supporting the Chinese efforts in education for rural development, education in remote and minority areas, higher education and job-oriented technical and vocational education.

UNESCO will also promote the Chinese flagship Project on Environment and Population Education for Development (EDP) within the framework of UNESCO's program on Education for Sustainable Development.

China attaches strategic priority to the development of education and UNESCO projects have made significant progress in China, said Chinese Minister of Education Zhou Ji, who signed the memorandum with UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura.

Zhou is leading the Chinese delegation at the ongoing 32nd general conference of the Untied Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

More than 3,000 representatives from 190 UNESCO members attended the conference, which, opened Monday in Paris, will run till Oct. 17.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2003)