On December 19, 2019, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Beijing with Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications Marcos Pontes and his delegation. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on the latest progress in science, technology and innovation of both countries, strengthening bilateral cooperation on science and technology and other topics to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of both countries.

Minister Wang Zhigang remarked that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil and the heads of state of the two countries have made mutual visits during the year. He noted that science, technology and innovation has become a key area of cooperation of common concern to leaders of both sides and the achievements of cooperation have been highly praised in the joint statement issued by the two countries. Minister Wang Zhigang said that under the Sub-Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation of the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Commission, the China-Brazil High-Level Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation and other intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, both sides have accomplished a series of achievements in joint research, science parks, personnel exchanges, and commercialization of scientific achievements, with China-Brazil earth resources satellite being hailed as a model of “South-South Cooperation” in high-tech fields. He hoped that in the future both sides will continue to strengthen top-level design, connectivity of strategies and exchange on policies, carry out joint research and application demonstration in areas of common interest, boost exchanges and mutual visits of young scientists to build a solid people-to-people foundation for cooperation on science and technology, and promote the progress of science and technology in both countries and even the world through mutually beneficial cooperation.

Minister Pontes expressed his appreciation for the cooperation proposal put forward by Minister Wang Zhigang and pointed out that Brazil values the leading role of science, technology and innovation in economic and social development and has made biotechnology, AI, new materials and smart city as future priorities for development. He said that the Brazilian side is willing to build joint research centers with the Chinese side in the above fields, promote cooperation between industry, academia and research institutions, and jointly promote the demonstration and application of scientific achievements in both countries.

Director General Ye Dongbai of the Department of International Cooperation,Director General Qin Yong of the Department of High and New Technology of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Director General Wang Qi‘an of the National Remote Sensing Center, and Party Secretary Chen Zhimin of China Science and Technology Exchange Center were present at the meeting.