New Zealand and China are to step up their joint scientific studies with the establishment of three New Zealand-China Research Collaboration Centers, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce said Thursday.

The New Zealand government-funded centers would enable better scientific engagement with China, bringing together researchers from across New Zealand in the fields of water research, food safety and non-communicable diseases, Joyce said.

"These centers will be creating more enduring relationships with China, building on existing bilateral programs," Joyce said in a statement.

Joyce said the new centers were the Water Research Center hosted by Lincoln University, the Food Protection Network hosted by Massey University, and the Non-Communicable Diseases Collaboration Centre hosted by the University of Otago.

"The three centers were chosen for their strong and inclusive networks across New Zealand, along with their extensive connections with world-leading institutions in China," Joyce said.

"China is a very important collaboration partner for New Zealand and these centers will deliver on a key action identified at the New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on science and technology in April last year," he said.

"Our scientists will be provided with the tools they need to effectively engage with Chinese institutions. They will be supported to share their connections and experiences, using this knowledge to form and strengthen research partnerships with China." (Xinhua)