Shanghai: China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening science, technology, and innovation cooperation with South Africa as the two countries work to give practical effect to their upgraded strategic partnership. Addressing the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China's Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun, emphasized the importance of South Africa's participation, highlighting the significance both countries place on their scientific relationship.
According to South African Government News Agency, Yin described China and South Africa as important emerging markets and major developing countries whose cooperation could contribute to scientific advancement and efforts to address global development challenges. In September 2024, the two countries elevated their bilateral relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. This development has created further opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in science and innovation.
Yin noted that Shanghai, which hosts the forum, is a crucial center of China's scientific and technological development, with innovation being one of the city's defining features. Its innovation ecosystem continues to attract researchers and produce advances in fields including artificial intelligence (AI), biopharmaceuticals, and brain-computer interfaces. China is also working to strengthen cooperation between Shanghai and surrounding provinces in the Yangtze River Delta to develop the region into an internationally competitive science and technology innovation hub.
China's national science and technology strategies align with Shanghai's trade and investment policies to unlock further development opportunities. The country is increasing its investment in innovation, strengthening strategic scientific capabilities, and pursuing breakthroughs in basic research and key technologies. China's research and development expenditure has exceeded 3.92 trillion yuan, with research intensity reaching approximately 2.8% of its gross domestic product (GDP).
Yin stated that China has performed strongly in Patent Cooperation Treaty applications and research published in high-level international journals. According to the National Innovation Index report, China's comprehensive innovation capability ranks ninth globally, and the country is progressively transitioning from a global science and technology participant to a contributor and leader.
He added that the latest scientific and industrial revolution offers countries important opportunities to promote sustainable development and respond to common challenges. However, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and other emerging fields also present significant ethical and governance risks. Yin called for an inclusive international science and technology governance system that promotes innovation while managing potential risks.
Greater international cooperation is particularly important in basic research, as major scientific discoveries often emerge through exchanges between scientists from different countries. Yin emphasized the need to seize opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution through international collaboration and integration, expanding the horizons of knowledge, and making more breakthroughs.
Yin also highlighted the importance of international scientific cooperation in addressing climate change, environmental degradation, energy security, and public safety. He urged efficient use of innovation resources and exploration of new pathways for effective scientific innovation to offer more solutions for global sustainable development.
South Africa's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, stated that South Africa and China would pursue closer collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, joint research centers, space science and astronomy, quantum computing, cybersecurity, public engagement, youth development, and the Young Scientists Exchange Programme. Cooperation between the two countries is governed by a science and technology agreement signed in 1999, during former President Nelson Mandela's administration. It has since expanded into various fields, including health, traditional medicine, astronomy, forestry, palaeontology, and energy research.
Nzimande emphasized that cooperation with the People's Republic of China remains a critical component of South Africa's bilateral relationship, rooted in solidarity, development cooperation, and multilateral engagement.