In the waters of Nan'ao county, south China's Guangdong province, floating balls have been replaced by environmentally-friendly ones.(PHOTO: XINHUA)

By WANG Xiaoxia

China has always attached great importance to the development of science, technology and innovation (STI) and has been committed to the innovation-driven development strategy.

That’s according to Wang Zhigang, Minister of Science and Technology, who made the remarks while attending the seventh annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) via video on May 5.

Wang noted that China has made vigorous efforts to integrate into the global innovation network, and prioritized the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to fulfill the responsibility for achieving global sustainable development.

According to the minister, China has leveraged the role of STI in promoting the fulfillment of SDGs and made good progress, including proposing Global Development Initiative (GDI), building national innovation demonstration zones, formulating the Science and Technology Action Plan on Carbon Peaking and Neutrality, launching BRICS Vaccine R&D Center, as well as promoting low-carbon economic development and South-South cooperation.

Looking forward, China would deepen cooperation with UN and other member states, and build a community with a shared future for mankind with concrete actions, said Wang.

With the theme “Science, technology and innovation for building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, STI Forum 2022, held from May 5 to 6, had in-depth reviews on SDGs 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 14 (life below water), 15 (life on land), and 17 (partnerships).