China-South Africa Alliance (Photo : Getty Images)
On Monday, a science park cooperation was officially launched to boost the China-South Africa alliance, particularly the bilateral cooperation in science and technology.
In her speech during the launch ceremony, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong spoke about the fast development in bilateral science and technology cooperation following the establishment of China-South Africa diplomatic relations almost 20 years ago.
According to Liu, the bilateral cooperation in the fields of biology, information, mining, laser, new materials and others has achieved remarkable progress. The achievements have made science and technology a priority and the highlight of the strategic partnership between China and South Africa.
During the state visit of South African President Jacob Zuma to Beijing in Dec. 2014, Zuma and Chinese President Xi Jinping had come to an agreement on science park cooperation.
On Monday, the first meeting of the China-South Africa High Level People to People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM) was held. Science and technology were included as an important field of cooperation into the framework of the PPEM.
Now that the China-South Africa science park cooperation has been officially launched, exchanges and researches on science park cooperation can be conducted by representatives from the field of science and business of the two countries.
As a realization of the consensus reached by the presidents of the countries, the launch of the China-South Africa science park cooperation is substantial for enhancing the bilateral cooperation in innovation and achieving win-win cooperation, Liu said.
The Chinese vice premier referred to science parks as a helpful means for developing science and technology industry and for supporting sustainable development with technological innovation, mentioning that the development of science parks has been a common choice for many countries.
The improvements in science park cooperation will bring in new energy into China-South Africa science and technology cooperation, Liu said.
China is also ready to impart its knowledge in planning, building and operation of high-tech zones to South Africa, she said.
Given their individual advantages in science and technology, the two countries should also reinforce win-win cooperation in encouraging innovation, assisting in the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements in order to have an innovation-driven growth and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries, Liu added.
The official launch of the science park cooperation on Monday is expected to deepen the China-South Africa alliance.
