By Staff Reporters

The conference site. (COURTESY PHOTO)

"Science has no borders and benefits all mankind" is the call proposed by the Chinese government in its International Science and Technology Cooperation Initiative released globally in 2023.

Since the release of the Initiative, China has actively contributed to fostering a closer network of international scientific and technological cooperation, said Chen Jiachang, vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), at an international forum in Beijing on April 29.

Chen was speaking at the International Forum on Science and Diplomacy, a platform to strengthen global sci-tech collaboration, build a global innovation network, and promote discussions to harness the role of young scientists in science diplomacy. Themed "Promoting Open Innovation, Cooperation for Mutual Benefits," this forum was one of the events held as part of the Zhongguancun Forum annual conference.

In his opening speech, Chen pointed out that to solve the problem of common development, humankind needs international cooperation, openness, and sharing more than ever before. To promote international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, Chen put forward four suggestions: First, to expand opening-up and cooperation, and jointly build a better homeland for humankind; Second, to promote win-win development and jointly address major global scientific and technological challenges; Third, to strengthen collaborative governance to effectively promote the development of emerging technologies at the global level; Fourth, to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual learning among young scholars around the world.

Other participants also echoed the importance of “open innovation” and “win-win cooperation.”

Orakanoke Phanraksa, head of international affairs at Thailand Science Research and Innovation, spoke about the importance of global collaboration amidst rapid global changes and the need for trust in science. She said effective communication is essential to ensure reliability, credibility, and ethicality in the information generated by scientists for the public good.

Xue Lan, dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University, called for leveraging the role of multi-level and multi-channel science diplomacy platforms to promote cooperation and address global challenges.

During the dialogue section, young scientists from various countries shared their perspectives on promoting science for good and supporting sustainable development, emphasizing the need for new approaches and technologies to drive sustainable growth and address global challenges. 

The forum was hosted by MOST and organized by the China Association for International Science and Technology, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park. 

Phanraksa highlighted the importance of the forum in an interview with Science and Technology Daily. "In promoting science diplomacy, we can make a difference. We can start with small steps,” she said. “Today's event is a great example of how we can start small but make a big impact."