Mr. Kazuo Todani, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology from Japan headed a delegation and visited the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS) on May 5, 2016

Prof. LIU Shuangjiang, director-general of IMCAS, expressed his warm welcome to the delegation and introduced them the history, main research areas and laboratories as well as the cooperation of China-Japan joint laboratory in detail. He said the institute had begun to carry out the third term of the cooperation with the Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo. The two parties cooperated in personnel exchanges and research in the past ten years. LIU hoped researchers in the joint laboratory keep closer cooperation, effectively carry out the research work and make contributions to disease control and the health of mankind in the next five years.

Todani reviewed the establishment background of China-Japan joint laboratory. He said he was very glad to visit the institute. In the past few years, he was concerned about the progress of the research between the two parties and was looking forward to witnessing greater progress in scientific research from both countries.

At the meeting, ZHANG Shizhuan, director of African-Asian Division of Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, made a speech on behalf of the Bureau of International Cooperation. He reviewed the establishment background of the joint laboratory and wished that the two parties cooperate in research institutes of both countries, jointly determine the research content and carry out the research work, consider social demands, expand the study of pathogens. The delegation also visited the joint laboratory after the meeting.

The joint laboratory was officially set up on May 26, 2006. Researchers in the lab are focused on study of emerging and reemerging pathogens.

Mr. CHEN Haitao, from Afria-Asian Division of Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS, Dr. MI Kaixia, Yang Huaiyi, director of Department of Research Project from IMCAS as well as officials from Embassy of Japan in China attended the meeting.