On October 30, 2018, Minister Wang Zhigang of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) met with Antoine Petit, President of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) during Pujiang Innovation Forum. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on advancing China-France strategic cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI) and jointly promoting the innovation-driven development of the two countries.

Minister Wang Zhigang welcomed Antoine Petit to attend the Pujiang Innovation Forum on behalf of the French government and briefed him on the Forum. Minister Wang Zhigang said that France was the first major western country to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. In 1978, China and France signed the intergovernmental agreement on STI cooperation, marking the first international S&T cooperation agreement signed by China and a western country after the country’s reform and opening up. The two sides have established an excellent cooperation relationship and stable cooperation mechanisms with fruitful results. Standing at a new starting point, the two sides should summarize the achievements and experience of the bilateral STI cooperation over the past 40 years and look forward to future partnership together. Minister Wang Zhigang added that the 14th Meeting of the China-France Joint Commission Meeting for Science and Technology Cooperation to be convened in December this year is meant to implement the agreement reached by the heads of state of China and France in science and technology and should achieve the intended purpose and provide a sound top-level plan for future STI cooperation. MOST is willing to work with the French side for practical STI cooperation, with a view to facilitating the overall development of China-France diplomatic relations and supporting the socio-economic progress of both countries. That is how the two sides can jointly contribute to the global economic growth and generate more benefits to the people.

President Antoine Petit spoke highly of the achievements of China-France STI cooperation and positively responded to the views and suggestions of Minister Wang Zhigang. He appreciated the efforts made by the Chinese side for the upcoming Joint Commission Meeting and shared views on priority areas such as AI and advanced materials. Antoine Petit said that he will report to the French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation about his meeting with Minister Wang in Shanghai. He looked forward to seeing a step forward in the bilateral STI cooperation.

Present at the meeting were Ye Dongbai, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Zhang Quan, Director General of the Commission of Science and Technology of Shanghai.