The Ministry of Science and Technology of China on Tuesday launched the China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership Program (CASTEP) in Beijing to strengthen cooperation in the next three years.

At the launching ceremony, research equipment worth 750,000 yuan (US$109,732) was donated to five researchers from Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco and Niger.

The donation was part of the ministry's plan to support African researchers' work back home after they completed study in China. And the action was under the framework of the CASTEP.

The program was launched in response to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao' s announcement made at the opening ceremony of the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Sharm el-Sheikh of Egypt earlier this month.

The program is an effort to assist African researchers in strengthening their capacities in self-development of science and technology. It will be focused on technological issues concerning people's livelihoods and economic development.

In addition to equipment donation, activities including technique training courses and workshops, popularization of technology and joint research will be carried out.

Wan Gang, minister of science and technology, said the program would further boost the cooperation between China and African countries in new technology.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2009)