国内英语新闻:Italy, China launch strategic "innovation alliance"

ROME, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Italy and China launched on Monday a strategic "innovation alliance" aimed at boosting technological exchange and joint research in crucial sectors including health, energy and "e-government."

The Italy-China Innovation Forum, which stood as the first major event for the one-year celebrations of the Chinese Culture Year in Italy marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, was a great opportunity to foster contacts between Chinese and Italian entrepreneurs and pave way for a strengthened bilateral cooperation.

The key message of the forum was the need both China and Italy shared to cooperate in innovation and technology, stretching from health to "e-government," renewable energy and energy efficiency, high-quality design and information and communication technology ( ICT).

Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang addresses the opening ceremony of China-Italy Innovation Forum in Rome, Italy, Nov. 8, 2010.

Organizers of the meeting were Italian Innovation Minister Renato Brunetta, Chinese Minister for Science and Technology Wan Gang and Italy's major industrial association, Confindustria.

In front of 250 Italian industrials and 100 Chinese businessmen and institution representatives, Minister Brunetta proposed to launch an "innovation alliance" from which both countries could benefit.

"Innovation curbs bureaucracy, allows direct access to services on internet and simplifies administrative procedures," he said, suggesting its revolutionary power in increasing a country's global competitiveness and well-being.

At the forum Brunetta announced the launch of an important agreement between Italy's Innovation Agency and Beijing's Science and Technology Commission aimed at creating an Italy-China center for technological transfer which will focus on stimulating contacts between scientific parks, technological districts and small enterprises of both countries.