Europe actively engages internationally to strengthen its leadership in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the global scene and improve synergies between Member States. Europe aims to foster international cooperation and strengthen its STI presence in China due to its growing importance and STI opportunities for European actors. ERICENA (European Research Innovation Centre of Excellence in China), a 48 month initiative implemented by 8 European and 5 Chinese partners, proposes to set up a Centre and its networks in China to promote European STI interests in China, creating synergies with existing STI structures. ERICENA will connect and support European researchers, entrepreneurs and other STI stakeholders, while providing and facilitating provision of STI services (e.g. networking, advice and support, training, among others) to private and public clients. The Centre will be implemented along 4 stages (initial set-up, pilot, full operational and self-sustainable stages), in which all mechanisms will be structured and established to ensure the Centre’s long-term sustainable operation in China. The Centre will be established through the implementation of 6 strategic WPs, which are structured along 4 key pillars – strategy, operational, financial and implementation – as well as two cross-cutting supporting WPs. ERICENA will effectively contribute to improve cooperation between European STI organisations and researchers and their Chinese counterparts, strengthen the presence of European STI excellence in the Chinese market, maximize the impact of European STI actors in China, improve the framework conditions for EU-China cooperation, and expand the impact of results from existing European STI projects and initiatives in China. This vision will be closely supported and empowered through the wide involvement of stakeholders, including the consortium and more than 100 STI stakeholders in the EU and China involved as Associated Partners.

China is already an important global actor in the fields of research and innovation, and has the potential of becoming a leading force in the next few decades. The shift in China’s strategy focusing towards R&I and transforming the essence of its economy has been complimented with massive public investments in research and technology. The EU having recognised the leading role China is expected to play, and having adopted a strategic position for becoming a knowledge-based economy, is required to collaborate with China in areas of mutual interest, and for common benefit and prosperity. Moreover for critical global issues which demand close scientific and technological cooperation at an international level, EU has identified in China a natural partner able to contribute and complement its own capacity. The proposed initiative aims to provide support services to European and Chinese researchers, and a flexible platform to facilitate policy discussions between European and Chinese stakeholders. Moreover, DRAGON-STARPLUS will provide the EC and the Member States with a toolset for setting a long term cooperation strategy in research and innovation with China. The project aims to provide efficient services on three levels (priority areas): - Support the European and Chinese research communities to establish collaborations under Horizon 2020 and beyond. -Provide a cooperation platform and tools to policy makers, aiming ultimately to support and enhance the bilateral cooperation, through the concept of mutual benefit. -Provide an ERA-NET style platform to funding agencies for exchanging best practices and planning joint activities. The proposed activities take into account the current on-going policy dialogue and the peculiarities of the research and innovation environment in China, and are based upon the outputs and the established mechanisms of the previous DRAGON-STAR project, as well as upon the sound results of previous related projects (e.g. OPEN-ICT, CO-REACH).