Scientific and Technological Diplomacy

In April 2011, China and Pakistan signed cooperation documents in science, technology and energy. In May, during the third round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on scientific and technological innovation. In June, China and Germany decided to set up a strategic partnership on electric car development, expanding cooperation in new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection.

2011, the first year for the implementation of China's 12th Five-Year Plan, has witnessed China's active international cooperation on science and technology. Where is China's sci-tech diplomacy heading? On the occasion of China's Ninth Working Conference on Scientific and Technological Diplomacy for 2011 held on August 28, 2011, the overseas edition of People's Daily held an exclusive interview with Jin Xiaoming, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology.

Jin said that during the 11th Five-Year Plan, China's sci-tech diplomacy entered an important stage of development. Global challenges that require global efforts to cope with, such as climate change, energy and environmental protection, food security, prevention and control of major diseases and the formulation of international standards, are increasingly becoming important topics in diplomacy. Sci-tech diplomacy has now moved to the forefront of China's overall diplomatic efforts.

China has started technological cooperation with 152 countries and regions, sending 141 technological diplomats to 69 institutions in 46 countries. China has joined more than 200 intergovernmental cooperative organizations. A diversified cooperative pattern featuring government technological cooperation has taken shape.

Capable of international mega-science cooperation

International mega-science projects have always been a club for developed countries. In recent years, by taking part in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), Global Earth Observation System (GEOS) and a series of big scientific programs, China conducted fair cooperation with Europe, the United States, Japan and Russia, contributing to the formulation of international standards and the solution of major global problems.

The five state-level international innovation zones, 33 state-level international joint research centers and 222 international scientific and technological cooperation bases are an important platform for China to conduct international scientific and technological cooperation. With the development of its comprehensive national strength as well as scientific and technological strength, China is now capable of participating in international scientific research and cooperation.

Global resources mobilized for technological development

Many programs benefiting China's livelihood and economic development have resulted from international technological cooperation and the utilization of global technological resources.

For example, by introducing advanced German concept, British design and Japanese managerial experience, Shandong Shengrui Transmission Corporation Limited had developed world's first front-engine and front-drive 8AT automatic transmission, claiming intellectual property rights for the invention. China's first overseas joint research entity, the Indonesia-China Center for Ocean & Climate, provides important information for marine research and climate change, which is of strategic significance. The Yangbajing International Cosmic Ray Observatory, which is a cooperation program between China and Italy, is the most extensive and highest (4,300 meters) cosmic ray observation station in the world, achieving several research results in the international cosmic ray arena.

These programs have greatly pushed forward the development of China's key technologies, helping China to catch up with leading countries in terms of frontier technologies and pushing China to become an innovation-oriented country.

Innovation in opening and win-win cooperation

International technological cooperation should focus both "import" and "export." China is also increasing scientific and technological assistance to other countries, helping developing countries build high-tech zones and national libraries, improve scientific research, open international training classes, start joint-research programs and set up cooperative demonstration zones.

For example, the construction of the China-Pakistan earth resources satellite data acquisition station in South Africa, providing people access to free-of-charge satellite data, which is widely used for African agricultural assessment, disaster relief and environment supervision. It is a typical example for successful South-South cooperation. In November 2008, China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the United Nations Environment Program jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation of African Environmental Technology and Cooperative Mechanism, launching several key programs on African water treatment and environmental monitoring.

Jin said that in future, China will continue to act on the principle of "innovation in openness and win-win cooperation" while conducting international technological cooperation. We need to make clear development objectives and strategies, fix key tasks, and provide preferential policies, so as to make more effective use of global sci-tech resources and contribute to a higher level of China's international scientific and technological cooperation and the target of an innovation-oriented country.


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