Objective:
The objective of this Annex is to establish the ‘virtual’ Joint U.S.-Sino Food Safety Research Center between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China. ARS and SJTU, hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”, which hereby affirm their mutual interest in, and desire to promote and develop cooperation in training and research programs through collaboration in the ‘Center.’ This Annex is subject to the terms and conditions of the S & T Agreement and the Protocol. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of the S & T Agreement or the Protocol and this Annex, the S & T Agreement and the Protocol shall govern.

Approach:
Cooperative activities may be conducted in food safety and all the related fields cooperated in the future. Cooperative activities in other areas may be undertaken and included within the scope of this Memorandum by mutual decision of the Parties in accordance with thee enabling authorities of each Party. Cooperative organizations also may include Purdue University of the United States and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Safety of China. Cooperation under this Annex may include, but is not limited to, the following topic areas: • Develop new rapid pathogen detection processes and effective assessment and control systems to resolve the obstacles related to food safety occurred in food industries and business. • Develop new analysis methods of chemical hazards in foods and their surrounding environments. • Basic research on food safety issues. • Food safety technological standards. • Recent priority and specific targeted research areas involve: -Using nucleic acid and/or protein-type of biomarkers to screen the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other pathogens and toxins; identification and characterization of their toxic genes -Developing rapid and effective pathogen concentration/capture processes -Integrated the detection and capture processes to form automated detection platforms that are suitable for high-throughput needs. Cooperation arrangements may include: • Exchange of scholars and students between Jiao Tong University and ARS for six month or longer terms • Exchange information through seminars during short visits • Arrangements of annual research meetings between Parties to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of established collaborations and to propose new collaboration opportunities. The annual meetings should take place alternately between US and China. • Whenever possible, the Parties will consider developing joint research proposals geared toward solving food safety related specific trade issues. • Establishment of a Joint US-Sino Food Safety Research Center among Parties To generate broad interest and increased activities, the Parties will, upon mutual consent, involve other interested stakeholders and entities that may contribute to improved technological processes including value added and agricultural utilization through the engagement of the scientific and business communities, trade capacity-building activities, and scientific cooperation and exchanges during the implementation of this Annex. These activities may be driven towards the ultimate goal of improving the nutritional food safety of the food supply.