The partnership will focus on collaboration in the areas of sports science and medicine, talent and coach development and drug-free sport.

 

A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between China's General Administration of Sport (GAS) and UK Sport has existed since 1998; this new four-year agreement further strengthens the exchange network between the two organisations.

 

At a ceremony today, UK Sport chair, Sue Campbell and Duan Shijie, Vice Minister of the Chinese General Administration for Sport and vice president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, met to sign the official documents.

 

Campbell said: "We are delighted to deepen our working relationship with the General Administration of Sport in China.

 

"As China and the UK are the next two host countries of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is especially important that we continue to strengthen our relationship as we prepare for the greatest sporting spectacle in the world.

 

"In addition, partnerships such as this promote good international relations and offer a real opportunity for us to learn from one another. We have had a link with China for a number of years, but this new agreement will offer a fantastic opportunity for both organisations and our partners to share knowledge and develop an exchange programme that will deliver tangible results in key areas of sport."

 

There are several exchanges planned for 2007, including visits to China by UK Sport's chief executive, John Steele and director of elite sport, Liz Nicholl.

 

UK Sport is also working with the British Council on a sports science and sports medicine exhibition that will tour China throughout the year.

 

Each year, an annual action plan will be drawn up to ensure that the opportunity to share best practice and exchange information is maximised.

 

In particular, cooperation will be sought in developing exchange programmes for coaches operating at the talent ID level and for specialist support personnel in the fields of applied sports science and medicine.

 

Campbell continues: "This understanding will enable the latest techniques in talent development and the latest research in sports science and medicine to be shared for the mutual benefit of both countries.

 

"We will also be looking at the opportunity to exchange information on our drug-free sport education and youth development programmes."

 

Previous initiatives include an exchange of coaching expertise in diving and modern pentathlon and work placements for administrators.

 

In 2005, the MOU facilitated three high-level visits, including a visit to Beijing by Tony Blair and John Steele.