Prizes are awarded to the outstanding projects during the conference. (PHOTO: Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province )

By CHEN Chunyou & ZHANG Junjie

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. "It is hoped that both parties work together to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and push for new progress in sci-tech relations," said Dai Gang, director general of department of international cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

In a conference a week ago, themed the Second China-Japan Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation held in Weihai, Shandong province, Dai suggested that the two sides should make good use of science and technology to cope with major challenges and epidemics, deepen sci-tech innovation and cooperation, jointly safeguard common development interests and actively respond to the common challenges of mankind.

"China attaches great importance to international cooperation in science and technology, accelerates the building of an open and innovative ecosystem, and actively integrates itself into the global innovation network," Dai said, noting that Japanese companies are welcome to participate in China's innovation-driven development, and share development dividends.

Cheng Yonghua, executive vice president of China-Japan Friendship Association, said at the conference the two countries have set goals for carbon neutrality. There is broad space for cooperation in green and low-carbon areas, such as energy conservation and emission reduction, clean energy and new energy vehicles.

China is speeding up the building of a "digital China," with the digital economy accounting for more than a third of its GDP. Japan is also promoting digital transformation. The digital economy can become an important pillar of the two countries' cooperation in the post-epidemic era, said Cheng.

Okimura Kazuki, honorary president of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, said that a high-level researchers' exchange program between China and Japan was launched in 2019. This July, the China-Japan High-level Scientists Seminar centering on marine environment was held in Qingdao. Nearly 30 scientists from countries participated in the event and more than 10,700 people attended online.

It is hoped that the COVID-19 pandemic can be controlled and the Sakura Science Exchange Program, launched in 2014 to invite young people from across the globe to Japan for a short period of time, can resume in the near future.

"Young talented people from across the world are welcome to visit and study in Japan," said Okimura.

Shandong province and Japan are in close proximity across the sea and their industry and supply chains are highly complementary, with huge space for cooperation and close economic and trade exchanges.

Tang Bo, director of Department of Science and Technology of Shandong province, awarded appointment letters to 10 strategic experts in international sci-tech cooperation in Shandong at the conference.

Focusing on the fields of smart ocean industry, medical care and health, and modern high-efficiency agriculture, the conference further expanded innovation cooperation with Japan in technology, projects, exchange platforms and talented personnel. More branded sci-tech cooperation activities will be created to attract Japanese enterprises and professional talents to Shandong for future development.

Source: Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province