Minister of Water Resources of China Chen Lei Visited Marine Research at University of Turku
Minister of Water Resources Chen Lei from China and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä from Finland visited the Seili Island with their delegations on 20 September 2017 in order to learn more about the marine research conducted at the Archipelago Research Institute of the University of Turku. The visit was also about exploring other Finnish research in the water sector, and Finnish water technology companies' expertise.
Minister of Water Resources Chen Lei (pictured in the middle, front row) visited the Archipelago Research Institute of the University of Turku at the Seili Island on 20 September 2017.
In addition to the Ministers' delegations, Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku, Region Mayor Kari Häkämies, Director of the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY-centre) Risto Timonen, and Director General of the ELY-centre for Southwest Finland Kimmo Puolitaival took part in the visit to the Seili Island.
The visit was hosted by Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku and Station Manager Jari Hänninen from the Archipelago Research Institute of the University of Turku. The following experts from the University of Turku also participated in the visit: Professor Risto Kalliola, Professor Baoru Yang, Project Researcher Markus Vehniäinen and Project Researcher Veijo Pönni.
The visit preceded the Annual High Level Dialogue Conference of the China-Europe Water Platform (CEWP) organised in Turku on 21–22 September 2017, where there will be almost 400 participants from 20 countries. CEWP is a collaboration network of the European Union and the Ministry of Water Resources of China for the governance, research and companies in the water sector.
The event is organised by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Water Resources of China and the EU Commission in collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southwest Finland, City of Turku, Regional Council of Southwest Finland, Regional Council of Satakunta, and Southwest Coast Platform for Water Expertise.
On Thursday 21 September, China, the European Commission and several EU Member States signed a Declaration to strengthen water co-operation between the EU and China. The aim is to join forces to promote sustainable development and improve water security. In addition, China and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish dialogue on water policy.
The visitors travelled back to Turku from the Seili Island with Patrol Vessel Uisko of the Finnish Border Guard.
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