A high-level delegation from the Chinese Embassy, including Mr. Ma Minggeng, Counselor (Science and Technology), Mr. Wang Qiang, First Secretary, and Ms. Fu Shan, Third Secretary, recently visited BIOTEC to discuss ongoing and future collaborations. China is regarded as one of BIOTEC’s most significant partners across various scientific and technological domains.
One of the key highlights of this partnership is the Thailand-China Joint Lab on Microbial Biotechnology with Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS), a successful platform that the delegates had the opportunity to explore during their visit. Under the joint lab, nearly 10 projects have received funding from national and international agencies, and about 20 joint publications have been published in international peer-reviewed journals. Moreover, 4 of BIOTEC projects have been funded through the Lancang-Mekong Special Cooperation Fund, administered by the Chinese Embassy. These funds, totaling nearly USD 1.5 million, have supported BIOTEC projects from 2020 to 2027.
During the visit, discussions focused on expanding cooperation into the areas of biosafety and biosecurity fields in which BIOTEC holds expertise. The topics covered include research and development on pathogens, biotoxins, and genetically modified organisms, with BIOTEC welcoming further collaboration with Chinese institutes in these critical areas. Mechanisms to upgrade existing collaborations between BIOTEC and Chinese counterparts were discussed.
The delegation’s visit to BIOTEC’s facilities provided an opportunity to witness firsthand the organization’s capabilities, setting the stage for deeper and more impactful future collaborations.