China and Canada signed a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in Beijing on Tuesday to boost research and development collaboration between the two countries.

Xu Guanhua, China's Minister of Science and Technology, said at the signing ceremony that China will constantly increase input on international scientific and technological cooperation during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010) and encourage Chinese scientists to actively participate in equal and mutually beneficial multilateral and bilateral cooperation programs.

It was announced at the signing ceremony that China's Ministry of Science and Technology and Canada's Ministry of International Trade will establish a joint fund to support scientific and technological innovation and industrial cooperation conducted under the agreement.

Canada's Minister of International Trade David Emerson said Canada will provide 5.25 million Canadian dollars for implementation of the cooperation agreement.

"Now, more than ever before, the world economy is driven by innovation," said Emerson, adding the agreement will encourage researchers and businesses from our two countries to work together, share expertise and forge new partnerships.

The agreement is expected to promote greater cooperation between Chinese and Canadian academics and both private and public sector innovators. The work conducted under the agreement will initially focus on four main areas: energy, the environment, health and life sciences and agricultural foods and bio-products.

One of the key aims of the agreement is to help Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs to bring their work to the market more quickly. The agreement will also provide better intellectual property protection.