Zhang Yudong, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, led a delegation to visit Argentina and Chile on August 7-12, 2023. During the visit, he attended the ninth meeting of the China-Argentina Inter-Governmental Mixed Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, the fourth meeting of the Science and Technology Subcommittee of the China-Argentina Inter-Governmental Joint Permanent Committee, and the mid-term work meeting of the tenth China-Chile Mixed Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation.

　　On August 8, Vice Minister Zhang Yudong and Daniel Filmus, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Argentina, jointly convened the ninth meeting of the China-Argentina Mixed Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and the fourth meeting of the Science and Technology Subcommittee of the China-Argentina Inter-Governmental Joint Permanent Committee, and signed the meeting minutes.

　　Zhang Yudong said that China and Argentina are good friends and partners. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina, President Xi Jinping and President Alberto Fernández held two meetings during the Beijing Winter Olympics and the G20 Leaders‘Summit, which led the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Argentina to a new level. The two countries have engaged in practical cooperation in supporting joint research, sci-tech park collaboration, and the exchange of young scientists. We have pushed for cooperation of the China-Argentina Center for Research and Technology Policy, and have produced positive outcomes. China is willing to work with Argentina to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. This includes strengthening top-level planning and designing for bilateral cooperation, advancing the Belt and Road cooperation, and contributing to the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Argentina.

　　Minister Filmus stated that the Argentine government is committed to STI cooperation with China and sees bilateral collaboration as a model of South-South Cooperation. He hopes to set priorities and further deepen cooperation to benefit the people of both countries.

　　The Chinese delegation included representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Argentina, the Department of International Cooperation and the Department of Basic Research of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the China Academy of Science and Technology for Development, China Rural Technology Development Center, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Argentine delegation consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Research, and the Secretariat for Science and Innovation of the San Juan Province.

　　On August 10, Vice Minister Zhang Yudong and Chilean Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry, co-chaired the mid-term work meeting of the 10th Session of the China-Chile Mixed Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the progress of cooperation since the 10th Mixed Committee meeting and engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as strengthening cooperation on basic research, fostering exchanges and training of young scientists, and deepening collaboration in the field of astronomy between China and Chile. Niu Qingbao, Chinese Ambassador to Chile; Xu Jie, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Zheng Jian, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Basic Research; Zhao Gongbo, Deputy Director General of the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Alejandra Pizarro, Director of the National Research and Development Agency of Chile; Julio Bravo, Director of the Division of Science, Energy, Education, Innovation and Astronomy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and José Miguel González, Director of Asia Pacific Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting.