On May 3rd, 2018, NSFC President Li Jinghai met with the delegation headed by Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau (UM).

President Li Jinghai extended welcome to the UM delegation and congratulations on Professor Song Yonghua's new appointment as  the 9th Rector of UM. President Li Jinghai pointed out that NSFC has always been attaching importance to the cooperation and communication with funding agencies and universities in Macao, and will make greater efforts to move the needle on the future collaboration between the mainland and Macao in basic research. President Li also encouraged Macao scholars to apply for NSFC programs.

Rector Song briefed on the teaching, research and discipline development at UM and acknowledged NSFC's continued support for UM. He also expressed willingness to further integrate UM into China's national innovation and development.

Views were also exchanged between the two sides on the promotion of interdisciplinary research and the construction of scientific research platforms.

Members of the delegation also included Prof. Kelvin K. V. Yuen, UM Registrar and Interim Dean of UM Faculty of Science and Technology, Prof. Io Cheng Tong, Dean of UM Faculty of Law, Carol Kei WONG, Director of UM Rector’s Office, and Yang Zhixin, Assistant Dean of UM Faculty of Science and Technology. Among NSFC participants in the meeting were Xie Xincheng, Vice President of NSFC, Wang Changrui Director General, Bureau of Planning, Feng Feng, Director General, Bureau of International Cooperation, Zou Liyao, Deputy Director General, Bureau of International Cooperation, and Wang Wenze, Director, Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs.