The Israel Science Foundation (ISF) and the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) forged cooperation pacts in brief on Tuesday evening, marking the start of further cooperation between the two sides.

 

"It's a good beginning after both sides have decided to cooperate with each other," said Professor J. Klafter from ISF during a reception held for a NSFC delegation.

 

The Chinese delegation, led by Professor Zhu Zuoyan, Vice President of NSFC, arrived in Israel on Monday.

 

According to the delegation, during their visit until January 12, the Chinese guests will meet with their Israeli counterparts on future cooperation between the two sides.

 

Following the visit, an ISF delegation will be sent to China to formally sign an agreement on scientific cooperation between the two national foundations.

 

The ISF is Israel's predominant source of competitive grants funding for basic research. Its roughly US$60 million annual budget funds 1,300 grants a year.

 

The NSFC is an institution for the management of the National Natural Science Fund, aimed at promoting and financing basic research and some applied research in China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2007)