China's role grows in Gates Foundation

An increasing number of Chinese businesses and academic institutions have been joining the Grand Challenges initiative set up by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to help the poor worldwide through science and technology innovations.

As of 2014, more than 1,600 grants have been awarded in 80 countries. A subsidiary initiative, the Grand Challenges Explorations, has awarded 107 grants in 60 countries. China is among these countries to win grants of both kinds, according to the foundation.

"Starting this program was one of the first really big things our foundation did to advance innovation on behalf of the poor - and it's great to be joined by partners from all over the world who have been involved in this with us," Bill Gates said on Tuesday at the Grand Challenges 10th anniversary meeting in Seattle.