On November 4, 2021, the fifth meeting of the Sub-Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation of the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Committee (COSBAN) was held via video link. Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang and Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Marcos Pontes co-chaired the meeting and delivered keynote speeches. Representatives of relevant government departments, localities as well as industries, academia and research communities of both countries participated in the meeting.

Minister Wang Zhigang noted that China and Brazil are each other’s comprehensive strategic partner. Over the past 47 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have developed steadily. Science, technology and innovation (STI) is a powerful means to tackle challenges on climate change, resources and environment, and is also a pathway for the two countries to achieve high-quality development. China and Brazil share the same vision of common development and win-win cooperation. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have stood side by side and come together in fighting the virus. It is hoped that the meeting could mark a new starting point for wider and deeper practical cooperation in science and technology, provide more scientific and technological solutions for global challenges, and make its due contribution to deepening the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership.

Minister Pontes said that Brazil attaches great importance to science and technology exchanges and cooperation with China, and cooperation under the mechanism of the Sub-Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation of COSBAN has produced fruitful results. The Brazilian government pays closer attention to the important role of STI in tackling the pandemic, driving economic recovery and improving people‘s livelihood, and stands ready to work with China to further deepen and expand cooperation in STI to support the sustainable development of both countries.

Participants from the two sides shared experiences and policies in promoting sci-tech development, had an in-depth discussion in priority areas of mutual interest, and reached consensus on future cooperation plans. Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Yang Wanming and Brazilian Ambassador to China Paulo Estivallet de Mesquita attended the meeting and spoke respectively on the important role of science and technology cooperation in the sustained and stable growth of China-Brazil relations. At last, the two sides approved the minutes of the meeting by acclamation.

Representatives from the Chinese side, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, Economic and Technological Development Bureau of Macao SAR，the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department, Xiamen Torch Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Xiamen Municipal Science and Technology Bureau,Tsinghua University, and the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, and representatives from the Brazilian side, including the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, the Brazilian  Agricultural Research Corporation(Embrapa), National Association of Entities Promoting Innovative Enterprises, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the Osvaldo Cruz Foundation and the Brazilian Embassy in China, attended the meeting.