A new Joint Laboratory, named the "Joint Lab of Veterinary Microbiology", was established in Harbin by two institutes, the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (HVRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) of Sweden later this September.

HVRI and SVA are now partners in the EU FP7 project LinkTADs - Linking Epidemiology and Laboratory Research on Trans-boundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses in EU and China. The partnership brings together world-class research institutes and experts in cross-border cooperation with the objective of coordinating research between the EU and China, thus improving scientific excellence in animal health.

The Joint Laboratory will enhance the control, improve the diagnostic capabilities and increase the knowledge of infectious animal diseases by enhancing research collaboration on selected topics. The partners will apply projects from China, Sweden and or EU, with the ultimate of sharing knowledge on disease with clear information and protocols for diagnostic assays.

The new joint laboratory will not only share knowledge about animal diseases but also will strengthen the relationship between China and EU as well as improving the research on the veterinary epidemiology.