The continuous growth of the world population translates into a demand of animal protein that can only be achieved through technological advances in farming, intensification, and expansion of farmed land. These pressures, combined with the increasing international trade of animals and their products, will lead to the rapid spread of animal diseases across borders and the emergence of new pathogens. This can have a huge impact on trade, livelihoods and public health. China is no exception and is in fact the world’s largest livestock producer and consumer, with pig and poultry meat being the most consumed meats.Research has many of the answers to prevent and control animal diseases, either through the understanding of their spread (epidemiology) or through better diagnostics for disease detection and surveillance. Both the European Union (EU) and China are two major worldwide players in animal health research. With dozens of institutions working on livestock health, the cross-border coordination and networking of research becomes a top priority to avoid duplication, while maximizing efforts by bringing together new ideas, expertise, technologies and funds.LinkTADs 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 (epidemiology and laboratory). Main objectives:• identify the priority areas, where joint actions are needed• link the research activities carried out on by European and Chinese research programmes• ensure a wide-range networking of scientific communities and stakeholders• provide a long term vision and achieve coordinated planning on future common research• contribute to the international policies of the EU• improve the research capacity of organizations by supporting young researchers through exchange programmes and training• share the results and methodologies within and outside the consortium.