The 9th APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation Meeting (PPSTI9) took place in the Nha Trang city of Vietnam, from February 18 to 20, 2017. It was attended by over 100 representatives from 16 APEC member economies as well as Macau of China, and Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). Chen Linhao, Deputy Director General of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), led a Chinese delegation to co-chair the event in the capacity of PPSTI Vice-Chair. To strengthen cooperation across various mechanisms, the chair of the Human Resources Development Working Group and the coordinator of the EdNet were also invited to give keynote speeches. 

The meeting was held under the themes of science of natural disasters and policies for building a favorable ecosystem for innovation with topics including technology start-ups, science communication, STI human resources development, research integrity, and engagement of women and youth in science and technology. Representatives had in-depth discussions and reached important consensuses on extensive subjects such as the PPSTI 2017 Work Plan, exchange projects and key events on science, technology and innovation, PPSTI centers and long-term mechanisms, and across-fora cooperation. The meeting also adopted the PPSTI 2017 Work Plan.

The Chinese delegation was comprised of representatives from the MOST Department of International Cooperation, China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC), China Meteorological Administration, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), APEC Center for Technology Transfer, and some other research institutes and businesses. The Chinese delegation was actively involved in project reporting and publicity activities and the discussion of topics such as science communication and human resources development, and promoted exchanges among APEC member economies. 

Background
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an important organization that promotes economic and social development and facilitates regional economic and technological cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) is a forum under the APEC Senior Officials ‘Meeting Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE) and was established in August 2012 to replace the former APEC Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG). PPSTI’s leading body, the PPSTI governing board, is comprised of one Chair, two Vice-Chairs and one Principle Advisor. Mr. Chen Linhao representing China was its Chair from 2015 to 2016 and is currently Vice-Chair. PPSTI meets regularly, once in the first half and once in the second half of each year, for discussions about STI cooperation. MOST is the administrative authority and contact point of the mechanism in China.