To follow through on the outcomes of the 8th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit and the 4th China-Japan-ROK Science and Technology Ministerial Meeting, the China-Japan-ROK Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, was held in Qingdao from December 8 to 9.

 

Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of China, Fu Zhenbang, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and Vice Chairman of the All-China Youth Federation, Ou Boqian, Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, President of Junior Chamber International Japan (JCI Japan) Nonami Akira, President of Junior Chamber International Korea (JCI Korea) Cha Bong-Geun, attended the meeting virtually. Geng Tao, Vice Mayor of Qingdao Municipal Government, attended and addressed the forum.

 

Vice Minister Zhang Guangjun said, China, Japan and the ROK are major innovators in the world, each holding unique strengths and advantages in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI). Deepening STI cooperation among the three countries is a crucial step for promoting innovative growth in the region. Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations and it should be nurtured through heart-to-heart communication. It is hoped that the three countries could focus on the long term and look to the future, strengthen all-round exchanges and interactions, promote synergy and innovation cooperation, enhance innovation and entrepreneurship of young people, and contribute to the high-level development of innovation cooperation in the region.

 

Secretary Fu Zhenbang said that China, Japan and the ROK enjoy a solid foundation and strong potential for cooperation. The three countries should actively organize innovation dialogue among young entrepreneurs and innovators, promote matchmaking of cooperation projects, create a platform for youth cooperation on scientific and technological innovation, accelerate transformation of contest outcomes and deeper industry-academia-research integration, and build a bridge for science and technology exchange and mutual learning by promoting interaction and innovation cooperation among innovative enterprises of the three countries.

Secretary-General Ou Boqian said in her speech that China, Japan and the ROK, as close neighbors sharing cultural bond, are each other’s key partners of cooperation. He hoped that the young people of the three countries could strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of innovation, uphold a community with a shared future for mankind, and contribute their wisdom and strength to trilateral cooperation and lasting peace and universal prosperity in East Asia.

 

At the opening ceremony, Vice Mayor Geng Tao introduced how Qingdao is opening to the world as a major coastal city, and its current economic and trade cooperation with Japan and the ROK and its overall economic development. He warmly welcomed young talents from the three countries to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship in Qingdao and pledged support of all-round services and policy incentives.

 

Nonami Akira expressed the willingness of JCI Japan to strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation with young entrepreneurs from China and the ROK and contribute to the peace and stability and economic revitalization of Asia. Cha Bong-Geun called on young entrepreneurs of the three countries to strengthen cooperation and build a brighter future together.

 

With the theme of“Join hands to promote innovation - building new industries and businesses for the future”, the event aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship cooperation among youth, and synergize the government, enterprise and social resources of the three countries. The event is organized by the China International Youth Exchange Center, the Torch Hi-Tech Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Qingdao Municipal Government, Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, Shandong Provincial Science and Technology Department, the CJK Exchange Center of the China Chamber of International Commerce, China Youth Entrepreneurs Association, JCI Japan and JCI Korea. About 150 people from the three countries, including contestants, young innovators and representatives of well-known Japanese and ROK enterprises in China, attended the conference online and offline.

 

Innovation is the primary driving force in spearheading development. As a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is emerging, technological advancement and industrial transformation and upgrading provide important opportunities for youth innovation and entrepreneurship in China, Japan and the ROK. Based on the results of review by the experts from the three countries, the China-Japan-Korea Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest produced three first prizes, three second prizes, three third prizes and nine merit awards. During the concurrent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, representatives of enterprises from the three countries delivered keynote speeches, conducted in-depth exchanges on topics of common interest, and participated in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair. On the margins of the event, the Trilateral Youth Science, Technology and Innovation Tour was held, which included technical visits to relevant innovation and entrepreneurship platforms in Qingdao.

 

Ruan Xiangping, Senior Counsel of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Wang Yijun, Party Secretary of China International Youth Exchange Center, Wang Qi, Deputy Secretary General of China Youth Entrepreneurs Association, Liu Shaohua, Deputy Secretary of Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, Chikumi Yoshida, Chief Consul of the Consulate General of Japan in Qingdao, and Park Ki Hwan, Consul of the Consulate General of the ROK in Qingdao, attended the event.