EU science chief tours China

Science : In a Q&A with Richard Stone of Science, the European Union’s commissioner for research, innovation, and science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, recounts last week’s official visit to China, her first. Some of the issues covered in the interview—such as intellectual property, nuclear power, and visas for Chinese researchers—pertain to US–China relations as well as to EU–China relations. Other issues, such as the challenge of reaching consensus in a 27-member federation, had a specifically EU flavor:

STONE: When China sets a goal, because of its top-down system of government, it can actually get things done. Are you jealous of China’s ability to design and implement a science policy?

GEOGHEGAN-QUINN: I don’t think we should be jealous of anyone. We have a standard of living that is widely envied. A collection of 27 individual member states brings a richness and diversity of culture. It’s a testament to political innovation.