On September 11, 2018, the 6th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation was held in Nanning. Co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People‘s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, this Forum was an important part of the 15th China-ASEAN Expo, featuring high-level forum, advanced technology exhibition and technology networking. The Forum was attended by Zhang Jianguo, Vice Minister of Science and Technology and Administrator of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, Fei Zhirong, Vice Chairman of the Government of Guangxi Autonomous Region, science and technology ministerial leaders and high-level representatives of ASEAN countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as close to 1,000 representatives from industry, academia and research institutions in China and ASEAN countries.  

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Vice Minister Zhang Jianguo made an introduction to the status quo of science, technology (STI) and innovation in China and the STI cooperation between China and ASEAN. He pointed out that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN and the China-ASEAN Year of Innovation which was jointly designated by Premier Li Keqiang and the leaders of ASEAN countries, hoping the two sides could take this opportunity to push forward bilateral cooperation in STI to a new level and continuously contribute practical results to the benefit of the people. To deepen cooperation, Vice Minister Zhang Jianguo suggested that the two sides expand people-to-people exchanges and boost the training of talent; strengthen communication on science and technology policies and align their development strategies; and build platforms for cooperation in innovation and seek a common environment for development. He said that China is willing to work with ASEAN to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan and the China-ASEAN Science and Technology Partnership Program, thus building a close community of innovation.  

In their keynote speeches, the foreign leaders introduced the status quo of their science and technology development, summed up the experiences and achievements in developing science and technology cooperation with China and promoting regional innovation and development, and put forward new measures and initiatives for China-ASEAN Year of Innovation, actively connect with the Belt and Road Initiative and commit to the development of regional science, technology and innovation together.   

Following the keynote speeches, Vice Minister Zhang Jianguo, key guests from ASEAN countries and government leaders of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region jointly witnessed the signing of a number of agreements on key China-ASEAN science and technology cooperation projects.   

After the meeting, Vice Minister Zhang Jianguo respectively held bilateral talks with Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology Rowena Guevara, Lao Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Houmphanh Intharath, Thai Vice Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, Myanmar Deputy Minister of Education U Win Maw Tun and Cambodian Deputy Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft Tung Ciny and exchanged views with them on further promoting pragmatic cooperation in science, technology and innovation.