In order to implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the important speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping during his visit in Yunnan, and to actively serve and integrate into the construction of the "Belt and Road", under the framework of the "Belt and Road" Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan and the China-South Asia Science and Technology Partnership Program, and under the theme of "Innovation for the Future, Cooperation for Common Development", the 4th Forum on China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation was successfully held from August 16 to 20, 2023, in Kunming, which was hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, and organized by the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center, the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department.
As one of the important activities of the 7th China-South Asia Exposition and the 27th China Kunming Import & Export Fair, as well as the annual landmark activity of China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center, focusing on the development of science and technology innovation and major needs of each country, regional science and technology cooperation mechanism and policies, high-quality development actions of cooperation platforms, and talent training and achievement transfer, the Forum consists of Opening Ceremony and High-level Forum for Science and Technology Cooperation, China-South Asia Bilateral Ministerial Meeting, Technology Promotion and Matchmaking Workshop, CSTTC Sub-center Construction Working Seminar, SIT Tour in China for Young Scientists from South and Southeast Asia, and Visits to the 7th China-South Asia Expo And Science And Technology Parks.
At the Opening Ceremony and High-level Forum for Science and Technology Cooperation on August 16, Mr. Zhang Zhili, Vice Governor, the People’s Government of Yunnan Province attended the conference and delivered a speech; H.E. Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, H.E. Ashok Kumar Rai, Minister, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nepal, H.E. Kanaka Dasaatha Herath, State Minister of Ministry of Technology, Sri Lanka, and H.E. Moin UI Haque, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to China, Embassy of the Islam Republic of Pakistan Beijing delivered keynote speeches on current status of S&T development, the effectiveness of S&T development, S&T development strategies and cooperation in China and South Asian countries. Dr. Zou Xuexiao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President and Professor of Hunan Agricultural University, Mr. Hao Xiaojiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Researcher of Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Preeti Soni, Head of Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Mr. Li Zhe, Vice President of Tencent Cloud, Tecent Technology (Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd, Dr. Jiang Linhua, Academician of the European Academy of Natural Sciences, Foreign Academician of the Ukrainian National Academy of Engineering, Dean of Shanghai Dongtan IoT Insitute, Mr. Vijay Kant Mishra, Executive Vice Chairman of India-China Trade Center(ICTC), Chairman of India-China Technology Transfer Center, Dr. Sarwat Ismail, Member (Science), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Induatrial Research (PCSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Harish Chandra Shah Rauniyar, Chairman of Nepal China Cultural and Educational Council, Dr. Jayanetti Koralalage Ramani Radhika Samarasekera, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of Industrial Technology Institute, Sri Lanka, Dr. Ma Wenhui. President/Professor of Pu’Er University, P.R. China and more than 600 representatives of government, industry, academia and research institutes from China and South Asian countries attended the conference. Dr. Wang Xueqin, Director-General, Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department chaired the Opening Ceremony & High-Level Forum for Science and Technology Cooperation.
Mr. Zhang Zhili, Vice Governor, the people’s Government of Yunnan Province, pointed out in his speech that the China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation effectively serves the exchange and docking between enterprises, universities and research institutions in China and South Asian countries, promotes regional technology transfer and innovation cooperation, and has become a pragmatic platform for international scientific and technological cooperation and a smooth channel for international technology transfer. In the future, Yunnan will give full play to the advantages of location, continue to improve the innovation platform network for South Asia, accelerate the construction of science and technology innovation centers for South Asia and Southeast Asia, comprehensively enhance the "scientific and technological communication" with South Asian countries, and intensify its efforts to carry out scientific research cooperation with the relevant institutions in South Asian countries, build international joint innovation platforms, carry out joint research and promote the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements, further strengthen scientific, technological and humanistic exchanges with South Asian countries and contribute to regional development.
H.E. Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, in his keynote speech, pointed out that the China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation has continuously enriched the form and content of exchanges, and effectively promoted the docking and cooperation between government departments, scientific research institutes, universities, and scientific and technological enterprises of China and South Asian countries. In order to further deepen regional cooperation in science and technology innovation, H.E. Zhang Guangjun said that it is necessary to strengthen the docking of development strategies, gather consensus on cooperation, strengthen the docking of strategic planning for scientific and technological development with South Asian countries, and jointly improve the multi-level cooperation mechanism. We should consolidate scientific and humanistic exchanges, consolidate friendship ties, support the construction of an all-round network of scientific and technological exchanges, and continuously enhance mutual trust and friendship between the scientific and technological circles of the two sides. We should build a high-level cooperation platform, enhance the effectiveness of cooperation, and carry out long-term and stable cooperation in expanding the scale of personnel exchanges and building a platform for scientific research cooperation. It is necessary to promote industry-university-research collaboration, focus on common development, and promote the transformation and sharing of scientific and technological achievements on a wider scale for the benefit of the peoples of the region.
H.E. Ashok Kumar Rai, Minister, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nepal stated that in recent years, exchanges between China and Nepal in fields such as trade, investment, culture, academia, and people-to-people relations have been steadily increasing. A significant number of Nepalese students study subjects like medicine, engineering, and information technology in China, symbolizing the key manifestation of Sino-Nepalese international scientific and technological cooperation. As close neighbors, Nepal is always ready to collaborate with China and other South Asian countries in the realm of technological innovation. Nepal hopes to sign a cooperation agreement with China in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, further promoting the sustained development of both nations. In the future, there is vast potential for collaboration in research and innovation between South Asia and China through financial and technical assistance, technology transfer, and increased foreign direct investment. By expanding cooperation in the fields of technology, human resource development, and institutional capacity building, both parties can elevate their collaboration levels, achieving mutually beneficial growth.
H.E. Kanaka Dasaratha Herath, State Minister of Ministry of Technology, Sri Lanka said that the Sri Lankan government is dedicated to devising strategies aligned with the digital vision for 2030. This vision aims to accelerate the evolution of the Sri Lankan economy towards an inclusive digital economy by leveraging solutions based on advanced technology. Under the guidance of the Industry 5.0 framework and backed by robust digital infrastructure, Sri Lanka's industrial sectors are poised to fully realize their potential in both domestic and export markets. In the digital era, "Innovation for the Future, Cooperation for Common Development" is the theme of the 4th Forum on China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation, embodying a commitment to technological cooperation and serving as a beacon for future inter-state relations. Sri Lanka has significantly benefited from China in infrastructure development. The hope is that collaboration between the two governments and businesses becomes part of Sri Lanka's journey towards its 2030 digital economy vision.
H.E. Moin Ul Haque, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to China, Embassy of the Islam Republic of Pakistan Beijing stated that in an era where information flows freely across borders and the modern dynamic landscape, science and technology have become the cornerstones of progress. Revolutionary changes in industries stimulate innovation and drive economic growth. Only those nations that can harness the potential of technological advancements will be able to leverage their competitive edge and ascend the ladder of economic prosperity. Pakistan places high importance on its technological cooperation with China. Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework, two specific workgroups for science, technology, and information technology cooperation have been established. Currently, 30 joint projects are in advanced stages.
At the Opening Ceremony & High-Level Forum for Science and Technology Cooperation，H.E. Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Mr. Zhang Zhili, Vice Governor, the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, H.E. Ashok Kumar Rai, Minister, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nepal, H.E. Kanaka Dasaratha Herath, State Minister of Ministry of Technology, Sri Lanka and H.E. Moin Ul Haque, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to China, Embassy of the Islam Republic of Pakistan Beijing jointly launch SIT Tour in China for Young Scientists from South and Southeast Asia.
14 experts include Dr. Zou Xuexiao, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, President and Prefessor of Hunan Agricultural University, Mr. Hao Xiaojiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Researcher of Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Preeti Soni, Head of Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) gave speeches about sharing innovative achievements and cooperation need for science and technology. They expressed a strong desire for China and South Asia to collaborate on technological innovation and the transfer of technological achievements. The China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center plays a vital role in facilitating important exchanges among enterprises, universities, and research institutions.
187 recommended projects from the Chinese side were announced in the Forum, covering 9 major fields aimed at promoting technology exchange and shared innovation between China and South Asia. During The Technology Promotion and Matchmaking Workshop, various agreements were signed, including collaborations between the Institute of Grain Production, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Pakistan's Agricultural Research Council, and between the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, and ICIMOD.Other partnerships include the India-China Technology Transfer Center and the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center, as well as Dinghong Intellectual Property Service Group Limited with Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region science and technology development Strategy Research Institute and Yunnan Academy of Scientific and Technical Information (YASTI). In total, six cooperation projects were signed, including Yunnan Yuan Hengrong Trading Co., Ltd. and India-China Trade Center Global Service Co., Ltd. signed the agreement on the International Joint Laboratory of Wheat Haploid Breeding, the cooperation of Mountain Future Innovation Center, the construction of China-India technology transfer cooperation platform and service system, the cooperation of China-South Asia International Technology transfer intelligent platform, the cooperation of Kunming Intellectual property Service Industry Cluster and the cooperation of China-India business service. The 3rd China-Pakistan Technology Transfer Matchmaking Workshop was organized by China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center and Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research signed a cooperation agreement on co-building the Pakistan Sub-center of the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center. China-Pakistan Innovative Cooperation Pu'er Tea Party, covering smart agriculture, biotechnology, information technology, artificial intelligence, intelligent robots, modern, smart agriculture, advanced materials, equipment manufacturing, new energy and new materials, and climate change, the two sides held in-depth and detailed discussions on the need for cooperation in different areas of strategic cooperation sub-groups. Among them, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinjiang Science and Technology Development Strategy Research, Yunnan Felter Environmental Protection Technology Co., LTD., Jiangsu Yangtze River Delta Smart Water Research Institute Co., LTD., Guangdong Zhongke Kaize Information Technology Co., LTD. And Citi Pharmaceutical Co., LTD., Pakistan Defense Science and Technology Organization, Faisalabad Agricultural University, Ghulam Ishakhan Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Pakistan National University of Science and Technology and other Pakistani institutions, signed 29 project cooperation intentions.
As the annual symbolic event of the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center, the China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation Forum has been successfully held 3 sessions in Kunming, China. Over 30 bilateral and multilateral technology transfer matchmaking activities and 5 international training programs have been organized. A total of 22 ministers of science and technology from China and South Asian countries, along with over 6,000 domestic and foreign participants attended the conferences and engaged in exchanges. Additionally, more than 80 international science and technology cooperation projects have been signed or implemented, and nearly 100 technical professionals and technology transfer managers have been trained for South Asian countries.The 4th Forum on China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation has resumed for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic. Adapting to the current new situation and changes, it uses technological innovation as its language, technology transfer as its bridge, and a variety of practical activities as its medium. Through communication, collaboration, and mutual cooperation, it aims to strengthen mutual friendships, create cooperative opportunities, and jointly plan for future development, promoting technological innovation and sustainable economic growth within the region.
The Venue of the 4th Forum on China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation
Remark by Mr. Zhang Zhili, Vice Governor, the People’s Government of Yunnan Province
Keynote Speech by H.E. Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology of China
Keynote Speech by H.E. Ashok Kumar Rai, Minister, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nepal
Keynote Speech by H.E. Kanaka Dasaratha Herath, State Minister of Ministry of Technology, Sri Lanka
Keynote Speech by H.E. Moin Ul Haque, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to China, Embassy of the Islam Republic of Pakistan Beijing
Chairperson of the Opening Ceremony & High-Level Forum for Science and Technology Cooperation: Dr. Wang Xueqin, Director-General of Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department
Launching Ceremony of STI Tour in China for Young Scientists from South and Southeast Asia
Chairperson of the Guests Speeches: Mr. Song Guangxing, Deputy Director-General of Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department
Signing Ceremony
Guest Speech by Dr. Zou Xuexiao, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, President and Prefessor of Hunan Agricultural University
Guest Speech by Mr. Hao Xiaojiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Researcher of Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guest Speech by Dr. Preeti Soni, Head of Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)