The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced on Dec 8 that it has set up an innovation center in Bangkok to promote scientific and technological cooperation between China, Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The center, the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok), is "the first overseas organization promoting global science, technology and innovation in achievements commercialization," said Bill Jiang, director of the center, during the opening ceremony on Dec 8.

Zhang Jie, vice president of CAS, said the center will effectively encourage Chinese enterprises to come to Southeast Asia to build an innovative China-ASEAN community.

Delegates look forward to the success of the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok). (Image from CAS)

Thailand is an ideal place for China and other regional countries to cooperate in terms of technological innovation, said Lyu Jian, Chinese ambassador to Thailand, adding that the establishment of the center signifies that China-Thailand cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has started a new journey.

Thai officials also spoke highly of the center and expected it will promote cooperation and benefit Thailand and the region as well.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has visited CAS many times to help the two countries cooperate in various fields such as microbiology, rail transit, and GPS technology according to Suvit Maesincee, Thai minister of science and technology.

Suvit said the center is going to be a new platform for Thailand to share the achievements of Chinese high-tech innovation.

"I think this is a very important step for both countries to work collaboratively with each other. Today, the setting up of the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center showcases our strong commitment to each other," Suvit said, adding that he expresses gratitude to China for choosing Thailand as the center’s location, helping the kingdom to realize its Thailand 4.0 strategy.

Some 400 people from the Thai National Legislative Assembly, Thai and Chinese universities, enterprises and other organizations attended the opening ceremony.

Source: Xinhua