Science and technology diplomats Dr. Mao Shanhong(L), Ivan Tello, Prof. Joseph C. Kolars and Prof. Katsumi Tanigaki are discussing at the roundtable part of the Technology Diplomat Innovation Resource Matchmaking Action 2023 held on November 8 in Beijing. (PHOTO: S&T Daily/Tang Zhexiao)

By TANG Zhexiao

Focusing on technology cooperation, an innovation resource matchmaking event held on November 8, gathered science and technology diplomats in Beijing to enable more exchanges and cooperation and discuss how to create an open novel cooperative mechanism.

Beijing is in a stage of high-quality development, and the event will enhance sci-tech cooperation in wider areas and at a higher level, addressed by Zang Yan, deputy director of international cooperation division, Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

Seventeen science and technology diplomats, and experts, scholars and executives exchanged ideas and views.

New Zealand and China has had almost fifty years of science and innovation cooperation, and we have seen growing signs of it,” said Dr. Ron Xavier, science and innovation counsellor of the New Zealand Embassy in China.

He illustrated the main areas that the two countries promote science innovation cooperation, such as resuming the New Zealand- China Scientists Exchange Programme, signing memorandum (MOU) of cooperation arrangements with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, funding joint research centers and establishing a strategic research alliance.

The New Zealand government is pleased to provide support in fostering the research collaboration, which is still continuing, according to Xavier. He stressed the importance of collaboration to drive innovation, noting that“By aligning priorities, we can achieve shared goals.”

Pakistan and China officially signed a sci-tech cooperation agreement in 1976. For decades, the number of MOUs and agreements of cooperation in science and technology between the two countries has reached more than 50, according to Khan Muhammad Wazir, science counsellor from Pakistan Embassy in China.

Currently, the two countries have included science technology innovation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for high quality and sustainable development. With direct Chinese investment of 25.4 Billion USD, 192,000 jobs have been created in Pakistan, said Wazir.

As the first European country to sign the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI), Hungary is forging a strong sci-tech partnership with China.

According to Balogh Andras Zoltan, first secretary for science and technology in Embassy of Hungary in China, the bilateral cooperation covers various field such as car industry, battery production, neuroscience, physics, space technology and new materials.

Large sci-tech facilities and tools will be jointly used in the future, as well as large scientific research centers, said Zoltan, adding that Hungary is willing to provide more opportunities for Chinese researchers.

Participants also expressed their observations about exploration of the new way of international cooperation in sci-tech innovation in the new era. Apart from a focus in specific areas, many of them noted that trust is one of the most significant factors in global scientific development.

Collaboration with China was highlighted. Professor Joseph C. Kolars, senior associate dean of the Medical School and executive director of the Office of Global Public Health at the University of Michigan, spoke about the reasons why the world needs to work with China. “Our future depends on China,”said Kolars. In his view，cooperation will promote interconnection, co-dependency and productivity.