The Second Forum on China-South Asia Technology Transfer & Collaborative Innovation was held in Kunming from June 12th to 14th, 2016. Jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, the Forum featured the theme of “Collaborative Innovation for Common Development”.

As an important part of the Fourth China-South Asia EXPO, the Forum consisted of a high-level cooperation forum, technology partnership events, visits to science parks, and special training workshops among others, all designed to promote communication and connection between enterprises and institutions in China and South Asian countries. The Forum also aimed to facilitate regional technology transfers and collaborative innovation.

At the High-Level Forum held on June 12, Yin Hejun, Chinese Vice Minister of Science and Technology and his counterparts from Afghanistan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka addressed the plenary session. Vice Governor Dong Hua of Yunnan Province made an opening remark. Participants included over 800 participants from government departments, industrial associations, businesses and institutions in China and South Asian countries.

Presentations were given by Muhammad Aimal Marjan, Afghani Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Mohamed Ashmalee, Maldivian Finance Minister of State for Finance and Treasury; Shiva Lal Thapa, Nepali Minister of Science and Technology; Susil Premajayanth, Sri Lankan Minister of Science, Technology and Research; and Rana Tanvir Hussain, Pakistani Minister of Science and Technology. Each introduced the S&T development in his country, as well as initiatives and proposals to cooperate with China in science and technology and promote regional innovation and development. 

The plenary session concluded with the singing of key cooperation projects between China and South Asian countries in the presence of Vice Minister Yin, science ministers of the five South Asian countries, and officials from the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.