On September 12, 2017, Party Group Secretary and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Wang Zhigang met with the delegation of Thai Ministry of Science and Technology to the 14th China-ASEAN Expo and the Fifth Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on issues as deepening science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation between China and Thailand.

Secretary Wang Zhigang welcomed the Thai delegation, and pointed out that China-Thailand comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained steady and rapid development. The two sides have carried out cooperation under the framework of China-ASEAN Science and Technology Partnership, including China-Thailand high-speed railway joint research center, remote sensing satellite data sharing and service platform and China-Thailand technology transfer center, provided funding for the exchange of visits between young scientists, and supported cooperation in the research of STI policies. Cooperation between the two sides have delivered notable results, and expanded in both breadth and depth. Secretary Wang Zhigang introduced the contents of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan to the Thai delegation, and welcomed Thailand to actively participate in the program and jointly plan and create impetus for the advance of STI cooperation.

Pornchai Tarkulwaranont, the head of Thai delegation and Vice Minister of Science and Technology expressed his appreciation to China. He applauded the role of the Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation as the platform for promoting S&T exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. He said that Thailand welcomes China‘s Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan and its related initiatives, and will actively take part in the relevant programs to promote new progress in STI cooperation.

Ye Dongbai, Director-General of International Cooperation of MOST, and the heads of the Science and Technology Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Fujian Province and Anhui Province attended the meeting.