More than 300 investors, entrepreneurs and officials from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) convened in Beijing Wednesday to discuss technological and commercial cooperation in the information industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy and the environment.

The 2003 China-Japan-ROC Forum on High Technology and Commerce was organized by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) from Wednesday through Friday.

At the opening ceremony, Zhou Guangzhao, CAST president, said science and technology had become the main stimulus for most economies. Globalization needs nations to cooperate with each other on scientific research and technological development.

More investment into research and development would provide new impetus to economic and social advancement, said Zhou, who is also a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2003)