Sino-German innovation cooperation flourishes in the light of bilateral ties

Relationship between the two powerful nations serves as example for exchanges with other countries

BEIJING - China and Germany have set up 11 innovation cooperation platforms, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang announced during the fifth Sino-German Innovation Conference held in Beijing in February.

The platforms cover fields such as electric vehicles, biosciences, clean water, intelligent manufacturing and clean energy, Wan said.

The minister added that over the past four decades, China and Germany had initiated effective cooperation models and promoted the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

"Sino-German scientific cooperation has set a successful example for cooperation between major countries," Wan said.

Georg Schuette, state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Germany, said that the German government attached great importance to science and technology innovation cooperation with China, and would strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as climate change, environmental protection, the internet of things and lightweight manufacturing.

In a congratulatory letter addressing the conference, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for enhanced cooperation in the sciences and technological innovation between China and Germany.

Cooperation in science and technology between the two countries has set an example for other large nations that are seeking similar collaboration, and has also powered bilateral relations with a strong engine, Li said in the letter.

Li said the new round of scientific and technological innovation is profoundly changing people's modes of work and living.

China, now at a crucial time for shifting the driving forces of its economy and upgrading its economic structure, will carry out an innovation-driven development strategy to build an innovation-oriented country, he said.

The premier added his hope that China and Germany can pool their wisdom, increase consensus and expand cooperation in science and technological innovation to promote the economic and social development of the two countries and inject new impetus into the global economy.

China and Germany have respectively adopted Made in China 2025 and Industry 4.0 strategies in response to the new phase of technological and industrial revolution.

Many German companies such as BMW and BASF have established large research and development centers in China.

The amount of Chinese investment in Germany has increased significantly in recent years, with many Chinese companies setting up R&D centers in the European country.

The increasing numbers of China-Germany industrial parks are also fostering strong industrial cooperation between the two countries.

More than 300 representatives from China and Germany attended the conference.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/25/2018 page8)