The "Second China-Russia Innovation Dialogue" is held at the Skolkovo Innovation Center in Moscow on October 16. [photo/safea.gov.cn]

The "Second China-Russia Innovation Dialogue", co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, was held at the Skolkovo Innovation Center in Moscow on October 16.

The event aimed at strengthening the strategic dialogue between the two countries in innovation strategy and planning, innovation policies and mechanisms, technology finance, as well as the starting-up and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, so as to promote the their practical cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship. Zhang Jianguo, Chinese deputy minister of Science and Technology and administrator of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), attended the opening ceremony of the plenary session of the innovation dialogue. In his speech, Zhang said that deepening China-Russia innovation dialogue will help promote the deep integration of technology, industry and finance, help optimize the innovation environment, gather innovative resources, and jointly build open, inclusive, mutually beneficial China-Russia innovation cooperation.

Sergey Gorkov, Deputy Minister of Economy Development of the Russian Federation, said that Russia attaches great importance to Russia-China innovation cooperation. The Russian Ministry of Economy Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China are negotiating to establish the China-Russian Joint Science and Technology Innovation Fund. Russia and China have great potential for innovation and cooperation. An important task of government departments of the two countries is to assist Russian and Chinese partners to fully realize the potential of innovation and cooperation and achieve results.

Nearly 100 representatives from central and local governments, universities, scientific research institutions, high-tech parks, industrial alliances, investment institutions, technology transfer institutions and innovative enterprises in China and Russia discussed issues such as China-Russia technology innovation strategy and policy, China-Russia innovation cooperation, innovative industrial cluster policies, and science and technology financing. Suggestions were made to promote innovation and cooperation between China and Russia.

The two sides signed and issued a Joint Declaration on the Second China-Russia Innovation Dialogue and determined the 2019-2024 China-Russia Innovation Cooperation Work Plan.

In addition, Zhang attended the 3rd China-Russia Innovation Investment Forum and delivered a speech in which he pointed out that China and Russia are both technological innovation giants. China is vigorously promoting innovation-driven development strategies. This is in line with Russia's innovation-centered modernization strategy.

Both countries regard each other as opportunities for their own development. If we combine the advantages of China's industry, capital, and market with the resources, technology, and talents of Russia, we will surely be able to achieve more positive results.

Zhang said that China welcomes Russian investment and innovation institutions participate in Chinese opportunities and compete for global capital, share the latest achievements in international economic development, and jointly create a bright future for China-Russian innovation investment cooperation and development.

The Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Russian Ministry of Economic Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Innovation in June 2016, at which time the China-Russia Innovation Dialogue mechanism was officially launched. In June 2017, the first China-Russia Innovation Dialogue was held in Beijing.