To promote China-Thailand cooperation on poverty alleviation, the virtual seminar on policies and experiences of science and technology support for poverty alleviation -“Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Growth : STI Supporting Poverty Alleviation”, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, was successfully held on November 23, 2021. Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, and Sirirurg Songsivilai, Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation  delivered video messages. The seminar was moderated by Ruan Xiangping, Senior Counsel of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Kitipong Promwong, Head of the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council.

 

In his speech, Vice Minister Zhang Guangjun said that on the important occasion of the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, China has achieved a comprehensive victory in the battle against poverty. Impoverished rural residents in China have all been lifted out of poverty according to current standards, which is an unprecedented accomplishment and a miracle in the history of human poverty reduction. The valuable experience China has gained in the exploration and practice of poverty reduction and the Chinese solution developed during this process belong both to China and to the world. The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to share its experience in promoting poverty reduction through sci-tech innovation with friends in Thailand, and looks forward to learning Thailand’s experience in this regard, and working with the Thai side to deepen cooperation on science and technology for poverty alleviation, and jointly promote the sustainable development of both countries and the region as a whole.

 

 

In his speech, Permanent Secretary Sirirurg Songsivilai said that science and technology has played an important role in reducing income inequality, promoting sustainable development and providing equal employment opportunities in Thailand. The Thai side is willing to learn from the Chinese experience and continue to increase science and technology support for poverty alleviation in order to achieve poverty eradication at an earlier date.

 

DDG Li Bin from the Department of Science and Technology for Rural Development of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and experts from China Rural Technology Development Center, Zhashui County of Shaanxi Province and Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences had an in-depth discussion with the Thai side on the policies and experiences of poverty alleviation through science and technology and the outlook of cooperation. Huang Wei, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and other participants attended the seminar online.