Beijing: The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, is currently on an official visit to China, where he has engaged with executives of two major institutions ahead of the Second Ministerial Belt and Road Science and Technology Conference.

According to South African Government News Agency, the visit commenced on Sunday, 8 June 2025, as Minister Nzimande arrived in China. His itinerary included visits to the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. At each location, the Minister was welcomed by institutional leaders and given a tour of their facilities. During formal meetings, Nzimande addressed the executive leadership, expressing appreciation for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

Nzimande emphasized the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s (DSTI) goal to enhance partnerships with the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Aerospace Research Institut
e of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The focus of these collaborations will be on indigenous knowledge systems and space science.

The Minister’s visit is set to culminate in his participation in the Second Ministerial Belt and Road Science and Technology Conference in Chengdu, which will take place from 11 to 12 June 2025. The conference, themed ‘Together for Innovation, Development for All – Jointly Building a Scientific and Technological Innovation Community for the Belt and Road,’ aims to foster international cooperation in key technological fields.

Nzimande views the event as an opportunity for South Africa to strengthen ties with China in areas such as artificial intelligence, future energy, transport systems, and traditional medicine. The conference is expected to attract representatives from state-level agencies, scientific academies, and innovation enterprises from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as members of ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The Ministe
r is accompanied by senior executives from various DSTI-affiliated entities, including the National Research Foundation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Technology Innovation Agency, the Human Sciences Research Council, and the South African National Space Agency.

A significant aspect of the visit will be a high-level meeting with the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun. Nzimande highlighted the importance of the strategic relationship between South Africa and China in science, technology, and innovation. He expressed the Ministry’s desire to showcase ongoing cooperative efforts in areas aligned with mutual development objectives and to inspire young South African scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs to participate in global innovation networks.