On May 28, 2019, Minister Wang Zhigang met with visiting Executive Director Romain Murenzi and Treasurer Yang Wei of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS, also known as the Third World Academy of Sciences). The two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between China and TWAS. 

Minister Wang Zhigang welcomed Executive Director Romain Murenzi and his delegation on their visit to the Ministry of Science and Technology and appreciated the positive role played by TWAS in promoting STI development in developing countries. He pointed out that cooperation with TWAS is an important part of China‘s opening up in science and technology and that S&T development has benefited from the opening-up process and China will open wider. Minister Wang Zhigang said that since China joined TWAS in 1983, the two sides has produced fruitful cooperation outcomes. He remarked that in the future China will strengthen cooperation and exchanges in science and technology with international organizations including TWAS, as well as with other countries, and promote researcher mobility and development of joint laboratories for pragmatic results.

Executive Director Romain Murenzi echoed Minister Wang Zhigang and briefed the host on the history and contribution of TWAS, expressing his hope to further enhance cooperation with China. Both sides agreed to work together in science and technology,  contributing to economic and social development of developing countries.

Director-General Ye Dongbai of the Department of International Cooperation and Deputy Director-General Xu Haoqing of the Department of Foreign Expert Services of the Ministry of Science and Technology attended the meeting.