The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) had their 5th meeting of Partnership Steering Committee on 8 November at CUHK.  The meeting was co-chaired by Professor Bai Chunli, President of CAS and Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK.

More than 40 CUHK and CAS members from a variety of joint projects (including members of joint laboratories of CUHK and CAS) participated in the meeting. In addition to discussing the progress of the collaboration between the CAS and CUHK, the meeting also recognized the work of researchers and scientific research results. Participants reported recent progresses of the joint projects at the meeting. Whilst sharing the difficulties and challenges in respective research areas, members also reviewed the possibilities of expanding existing collaboration along with the Greater Bay Area Initiative. At this precious occasion, Agreement for the establishment of GRMH-GDL–CUHK Joint Centre for Musculoskeletal Research between the Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL) and the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of CUHK was concluded at the meeting.
 
All 22 CAS joint laboratories in Hong Kong were evaluated earlier this year, including nine that partner with CUHK. There are four laboratories in total that were ranked as "Outstanding", the best possible grade, three of which are with CUHK. They are: Joint Laboratory for High Density Electronic Packaging Materials and Devices, Joint Laboratory for Biomaterials SIAT—HKU—CUHK, and Shanghai-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis. In addition, four CUHK laboratories were ranked as "Good" in the same evaluation. The overall performance was remarkable.

Professor Bai said, "Thanks to the close cooperation between the scholars of both sides, the joint laboratories have achieved remarkable results. It is hoped that the complementary advantages will be further capitalized to strengthen the scientific and technological collaboration between the two places, to build up a pragmatic R&D platform."

Professor Tuan remarked, "I am very grateful to Professor Bai for his support for the collaboration between the two parties. CAS has always been a very important strategic partner of CUHK. With the support of Professor Bai, we have conducted joint scientific research in different fields. Up till now, CUHK has carried out collaborative projects with CAS in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming and Shenzhen, including the State Key Laboratories, the Joint Laboratories, student training, and the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, CAS. The excellent results of these projects are really encouraging. CUHK has recently been invited to join the CAS-led Alliance of International Science Organizations in the Belt and Road Region (ANSO) as one of the founding members - the only member from Hong Kong. Looking forward, we will further strengthen the existing collaborative platform and open up new cooperation in targeted areas, bringing far-reaching impact to the region."

Since 1986, CUHK and CAS have been working closely to promote and push forward different levels of academic exchange and scientific research cooperation in the fields of stem cell and regenerative medicine, biological resources, synthetic chemistry, medicinal botany, material science, solar energy, multimedia and precision engineering. Every year, CAS academicians are invited to visit CUHK to forge academic exchange between the University and CAS. CUHK is also co-organizing two events being held this month in Hong Kong: the CAS-led technological and innovative achievements annual touring exhibition, and Science Talks given by CAS Academicians.