On October 19, 2017, Vice Minister of Science and Technology Huang Wei met with Georgian Ambassador to China David Aptsiauri in Beijing. With a friendly and pragmatic atmosphere, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached agreement on China-Georgia cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI) at the meeting.

Vice Minister Huang spoke positively of the friendly relations between China and Georgia and the potential of bilateral STI cooperation. He said that the Chinese government is vigorously implementing the innovation-driven development strategy to build China into an innovation-oriented country and that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping has received wide attention and positive response from the international community. He suggested that China and Georgia, taking advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative, further improve the China-Georgia intergovernmental STI cooperation mechanism, strengthen people-to-people S&T exchanges, increase exchange of expertise and visits by young scientists of both countries, and promote pragmatic project cooperation and platform development.

Ambassador David Aptsiauri first expressed congratulations on the convening of the 19th CPC National Congress. He said that Georgia is a staunch supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative and looks forward to working with the Chinese side to facilitate bilateral STI cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen cooperation between research institutes, universities and enterprises of the two countries on research and development (R&D), and promote the development of long-term cooperation platforms such as joint laboratories and joint research centers by Chinese and Georgian partners.

Chen Linhao, Deputy Director-General of International Cooperation of Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), was present at the meeting.