Within the context of French-Chinese cooperation, which has expanded on the occasion of President Hu Jintao's state visit, health is one of the most important sectors. A declaration of intent on the prevention of and fight against emerging infectious diseases was signed yesterday at Matignon by Ms. Claudie Haigneré and Jean François Mattei, and Mr. Yan Hua Liu, deputy minister of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China. At the same time and in the same spirit, Prof. Zhu Chen, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Philippe Kourilsky, President of the Institut Pasteur, signed a letter of intent for the creation of an Institut Pasteur in Shanghai. The objectives of the future Institut Pasteur of China will be to respond to Chinese public health priorities and to develop research and education in the field of infectious diseases, particularly virology, vaccinology and epidemiology.
Press release
Paris, january 29, 2004
The Institut Pasteur of China will be a non-profit Chinese national institution, granted autonomy in management and decision-making. It will have a Board of Directors and a Scientific Council composed of Chinese members and representatives from the Institut Pasteur of Paris. It will be subject to Chinese law and will respect Pasteur values.
In keeping with the traditional mission of the Instituts Pasteur, five axes are under discussion:
- basic and applied research in infectious diseases;
- studies in public health;
- biological and medical diagnosis, analyses concerning food safety and the environment;
- enhancement of research and industrial partnerships;
- education.
The project will link research and active duties. A high priority will be given to infectious diseases and their transmission from animals to humans. The development of industrial, biotechnological and pharmaceutical processes and products will be considered.
The critical size for the smooth operation of an institute of this type is about 250 people.
An agreement establishing the Institut Pasteur of China should be signed before summer 2004.
Contact press
Institut Pasteur
Nadine Peyrolo
01 45 68 81 47 - npeyrolo@pasteur.fr
Chinese Embassy in Paris
M. SHE Sigang, premier secrétaire de l’ambassade de Chine
01 47 36 34 37 - kjc.chinaemb@magic.fr
