CHINESE and European countries are increasingly collaborating in innovative projects in science and technology, and Europe is eager to step up cooperation.

That was message at a media briefing last month by consular representatives in Shanghai of Belgium, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Romania and the UK.

Belgian Consul General Cathy Buggenhout observed that the EU-China strategic partnership is built on three pillars - strategic dialogue, economic and trade dialogue and high-level people-to-people dialogue.

"The European Union is very committed to consolidating this structure and deepening cooperation because many interests of China and the EU coincide and complement each other," she said.

"We have the same aims for research, innovation, food and water security, development and a range of other issues."

China is one of Europe's most important partners and last year there were EU-China summits in February and September.

People-to-people dialogues also encourage the mobility of researchers and promote sustainable urbanization projects in China's science and technology sector.

The EU and China have signed a joint declaration on high-level innovation cooperation and the first China-EU Innovation Cooperation Dialogue will be held in Beijing this September, shortly before the 16th China-EU Summit.

During the summit, transportation technologies and innovation - a major issue for China - will be discussed. Forums will be held on mobility, managing traffic volume and road safety.

Last year, a China-Europe water platform was launched to encourage exchange of ideas on managing water supply.

"Under the framework, we'll encourage and support cooperation on research and innovation and involve industries and universities on both sides to engage in cooperation," said Buggenhout.

"Because of Italy's strong capability in the machinery industry, it has become an important sector for the Italian companies to collaborate with Chinese companies," said Eugenia Palagi, Italy's consul general in Shanghai.

Machine exports to China account for 32 percent of Italy's total export volume, she said.

In March an agreement was signed between Italian multi-utility company HERA Group and Jiangsu Hi-Firm Group to build waste-to-energy plants in China to burn solid waste more efficiently over 20 years.

The EU has strict standards on carbon emissions, energy efficiency, renewable energies and environmental sustainability, so collaboration with China is desirable, Palagi said.

Romania and China, which have a bilateral cooperation framework, last year approved 26 projects for 2013-2014, covering new materials, green technologies, new agriculture hybrids, maritime sciences and other fields.

Romanian Consul General Florin Marius Tacu cited the Green Innovation Park, a joint science and technology park where joint research in agriculture will be carried out by the Chinese Academy for Agricultural Sciences and the University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Tacu said it's expected to become operational by the end of the year.

Laszlo Kuti, Hungary's consul general, told Shanghai Daily that around 40 joint projects are ongoing and Shanghai's top universities, including Fudan and Jiao Tong, are heavily involved.

The recently set up Shanghai-Hungary Green Energy Center does joint research in new energy solutions and aims to make new projects commercially viable.

Last year, an agreement was reached between the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission and Hungarian Innovation Office to encourage small and medium companies to innovate.

Kuti said Hungary is keen to help Shanghai preserve its cultural heritage through new technologies, which are beneficial for both sides.

Britain's universities are also involved with Chinese counterparts.

Matthew Forbes, UK deputy consul general, said 14 UK universities are among the 50 EU universities collaborating with China.

"As home to a number of top universities, the college sector is very important in terms of the UK's partnership in science and technology with China," he added.

"The UK recognizes the strength of China's universities, and not just in Shanghai and Beijing, so we're going out to more cities outside Shanghai, not just for trade but to set up links for joint research projects with universities in cities like Nanjing and Ningbo," he added.

Later this month in London, the UK and China will discuss setting up a task force to enhance the level of cooperation.

Estonia's strength and experience in urbanization, smart cities and public health make that country a good partner for Chinese government agencies and companies. Joint projects focus on urbanization issues, smart cities and better public health.

"We're engaged in a lot of dialogue to contribute our experience in sustainable development with many neighboring cities in the Yangtze River Delta region," said Jaan Reinhold, Estonian consul general in Shanghai.

Estonian companies are working with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences to introduce intelligent parking solutions and mobile phone payment technologies.

Reinhold said he's confident about introducing advanced technology from the EU and working closely with Chinese counterparts.

During the China (Shanghai) International Technology Exchange Fair last week, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg together set up a space to demonstrate their innovation potential and seek collaborators in China.

Consul General Buggenhout said a similar fair will be held in Belgium so Chinese companies can demonstrate innovations and breakthroughs.

Belgium's biopharmaceutical sector is working with the Shanghai Biopharmaceutical Industry Association to expand company exchanges. The Belgian company has transferred technology involving radio isotope equipment. Together they are setting up a generator to produce radioisotope materials in Jiangsu Province.