In September, a new Joint Laboratory, named after Veterinary Microbiology was established by Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (HVRI), Chinese Academy  of Agricultural Sciences, China and National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Sweden.HVRI and SVA are now partners in the EU FP7 project LinkTADs - Linking Epidemiology and Laboratory Research on Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses in EU and China,

which brings together world-class research institutes and experts in cross-border cooperation with the aim to coordinate research between the EU and China, thus improving scientific excellence in animal health.The aim of the Joint Laboratory is to enhance the control, improve the diagnostic capabilities and increase the knowledge of infectious animal diseases by enhancing research collaboration on selected 

topics, jointly applying for projects from China and Sweden or EU, and exchange of disease information and protocols for diagnostic assays. The new joint laboratory will enhance the relationship between China and EU, and improve the research on the veterinary epidemiology especially.