On September 13, 2017, the Fifth Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the People‘s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was held in Nanning. As an important part of the 14th China-ASEAN Expo, the forum includes high-level forum, advanced technology exhibition and matchmaking session for international innovation cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine and comprehensive health industry, with the aim of providing a platform for connecting the technological demands of companies with the competitive S&T resources of universities and research institutions in China and ASEAN countries, and further deepening regional cooperation in technology transfer and innovation.

At the opening ceremony, namely the High-level Forum on International Innovation Cooperation on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Comprehensive Health Industry, Miao Shaobo, Deputy Secretary-General of MOST China, Tung Ciny, Chair of ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology, Chair of Cambodian Science and Technology Commission, and Deputy Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft of Cambodia, Agus Puji Prasetyono, Senior Advisor to the Minister for Research, Technology and Higher Education of Indonesia, Sourioudong Sundara, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of Laos, Pornchai Tarkulwaranont, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of Thailand attended the meeting and delivered keynote speeches. Over 600 delegates from China and ASEAN countries, including representatives of government departments, enterprises, universities and research institutions, as well as experts and scholars, attended the meeting.

In his keynote speech, Deputy Secretary-General Miao Shaobo talked about China’s progress in science, technology and innovation (STI) and the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, and summarized the results of regional innovation cooperation since the launch of China-ASEAN Science and Technology Partnership. In order to further deepen China-ASEAN STI cooperation, leverage the supporting and steering role of STI in promoting regional sustainable development, China is willing to work with all parties to develop a joint roadmap for innovation cooperation, strengthen the connectivity of innovation cooperation concepts; build a new platform and create a favorable environment for innovation cooperation; expand the circle of friends, and build the pillars of people-to-people exchanges.

In their keynote speeches, the foreign participants briefed the audience on the status quo of science and technology(S&T) development in their countries, took stock of their experience of S&T cooperation with China, as well as the measures and initiatives for promoting innovative development in the region. They expressed the willingness to seize the opportunity of the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership and the “China-ASEAN Year of Innovation” in 2018 to connect their strategies with the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan and promote the development of regional STI cooperation.

After the keynote speech, Deputy Secretary-General Miao Shaobo, dignitaries of ASEAN countries and leading officials of the People‘s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region witnessed the signing of a number of key scientific and technological cooperation projects between China and ASEAN.