Huang Wei, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of China met with Guido Girardi, Vice President of the Chilean Senate and President of the Senate Committee Challenges for the Future, Science, Technology and Innovation of Chile on May 22nd, 2017.

Huang said that China-Chile science and technology cooperation has maintained steady growth in recent years. Both sides attach importance to the role of scientific and technological progress in driving socio-economic development. During President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Chile, the two state leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Last January, Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology led a Chinese delegation to visit Chile and co-chaired the 9th meeting of the China-Chile inter-government committee on cooperation in science and technology, which pointed the way for bilateral cooperation in the future. Huang also applauded the sound exchanges and cooperation between scientists of the two countries, and acknowledged the importance of setting up joint laboratories within the framework of the committee to promote personnel mobility. His Ministry will continue to promote friendly exchanges between scientists of the two countries and support Chile in hosting the Congress of the Future.

Girardi echoed the views of the Vice Minister. He said Chile has strengths in clean energy, biotechnology, astronomical observation among other fields where huge potential for bilateral cooperation remains to be tapped. The two sides should further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between scientists in all fields. He also noted that scientific and technological revolution is shaping the trend of the world economy. Congress of the Future is the largest, most well-known influential event of science and technology in Latin America. Chile welcomes Chinese scientists to share their valuable experience of economic development and innovation with other participants to jointly tackle future challenges.

Also present at the meeting were Ye Dongbai, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Deng Xiaoming, Deputy Director General of the Department of S&T for Social Development.