The 2nd South Korea (Shandong) Import Commodity Fair. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By WANG Xiaoxia

A forum was held on September 26 to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) between China and South Korea, while the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of their bilateral ties.

Over the past 30 years, China and South Korea have yielded fruitful results in STI cooperation, including joint research and development, high-tech zones, people-to-people exchanges, technology collaboration and innovative startups, said Zhang Guangjun, China's vice minister of science and technology.

Looking ahead at the next 30 years, Oh Tae-Seog, vice minister of science and ICT of South Korea expected more pragmatic cooperation between the two countries' enterprises, institutes and universities.

Facing a broader and deeper technological revolution and industrial transformation, China and South Korea should leverage their complementary advantages to further integrate their supply chains and form a stronger industrial chain through cooperation, said Xing Haiming, Chinese ambassador to South Korea.

As people-to-people exchanges serve as a bridge for practical and win-win cooperation in STI, Xing expected that scientists from the two countries may join hands to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in high-tech fields such as biomedicine, AI, quantum technology, carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

Gao Xiang, director-general of China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC), said that there is great potential and a need for further STI cooperation between China and South Korea, and the science community should continue to promote the connectivity of the two peoples.

Authorities and non-governmental organizations should keep in contact and try to provide more cooperation opportunities, said Lee Jinsoo, minister counsellor at embassy of South Korea in Beijing.

The forum was co-hosted by the CSTEC and Korea-China Science & Technology Cooperation Center. Following a series of activities held, it provided a platform for participants from governmental authorities, research institutes and enterprises to share their perspectives on future cooperation.

Related forums are expected to be held in November, where the two sides will discuss cooperation focusing on the digital industry, innovative startups, as well as small and medium enterprises.