PRETORIA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China and South Africa officially launched science park cooperation on Monday amid efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attends the launch ceremony of China-South Africa science park cooperation in Pretoria, South Africa, on April 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

In a speech delivered at the launch ceremony, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong noted the rapid progress in bilateral science and technology cooperation after China and South Africa established diplomatic relations nearly 20 years ago.

Remarkable achievements have been made in bilateral cooperation in biology, information, mining, laser, new materials and other fields, making science and technology a priority and bright spot in the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership, said Liu.
In December 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma reached an important consensus on science park cooperation.

During the first meeting of the China-South Africa High Level People to People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM) on Monday, science and technology was incorporated as a key field of cooperation into the mechanism framework.

With Monday's official launch of the China-South Africa science park cooperation, representatives from the science and business circles of the two countries will conduct exchanges and researches on science park cooperation.

As an action to implement the consensus of the heads of state, the launch of the China-South Africa science park cooperation is of great significance for deepening bilateral innovation cooperation and realizing win-win cooperation, said the Chinese vice premier.

Liu described science parks as an effective tool to develop the science and technology industry and to shore up sustainable development with technological innovation, noting that many countries have made developing science parks a common choice.

Enhanced science park cooperation will inject new vitality into China-South Africa science and technology cooperation, she said.
China is willing to share experience with South Africa in the planning, building and operation of high-tech zones, said Liu.

With their respective advantages in science and technology, China and South Africa should strengthen win-win cooperation in promoting innovation, facilitating the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements so as to propel growth with innovation and bring more benefits to the two peoples, she added.