MACAO -- China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and the French government signed an agreement on Thursday to strengthen cooperation in scientific research and promote innovation and talent development.

The agreement was signed by Macao's Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Ip and Consul General of France in Hong Kong Christile Drulhe.

According to Macao's Science and Technology Development Fund, the agreement sets out a plan to collaborate on scientific research projects, organize seminars and workshops, and facilitate exchanges between researchers and technical experts of mutual interest.

At the signing ceremony, Tai said the Macao SAR government is committed to developing innovation-driven industries and expanding international cooperation.

He noted that this partnership with France offers a valuable opportunity for both sides to benefit from each other's strengths, and the agreement would boost Macao's role in the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao science and technology innovation corridor and support the city's push for a more diversified economy.

In her remarks, Drulhe said that the cooperation would serve as a bridge for communication between researchers from both sides. Through joint research projects and talent exchange initiatives, she believes the partnership will not only elevate the level of scientific research but also deepen the friendship between the people of France and China.

Around 40 guests attended the event, including representatives from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao SAR, local universities, tech companies, and French and European chambers of commerce.