CROATIA AND CHINA SIGN PROTOCOL ON SCIENCE COOPERATION

( Editorial: --> 4712 ) ZAGREB, May 18 (Hina) - Stronger cooperation in science and technology between Croatia and China is a bridge towards greater economic cooperation, alongside the existing good political relations, Croatian Science and Technology Minister Ivica Kostovic said on Monday. A protocol ratifying projects in science, research and technology was signed in Zagreb today by Sun Wanhu, deputy administrator for international science and technology cooperation at the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, and Radovan Fuchs, Kostovic's assistant for international cooperation. The projects in biology, research, environment protection, agronomy and medicine will systematically propel direct cooperation between scientists from the two countries and is expected to strengthen economic cooperation as well. The projects are the result of the first regular meeting of an inter-governmental Croatian-Chinese commission for cooperation in science and technology. Also present at the signing of today's protocol was Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Li Guobang. Sun and Fuchs announced talks on cooperation in shipbuilding and pharmacy. The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology delegation has been on a visit to Croatia since May 13. (hina) ha /mb 181501 MET may 98