The Chinese Academy of Sciences staged an expo to showcase its innovations in science and technology at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct 10.

This was the first overseas tour conducted by the CAS Innovation Expo, and was jointly organized by the Chinese embassy to Thailand and Thai Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

More than 300 people, including officials, businesspeople, scientists, teachers and students from higher educational institutions attended the opening ceremony.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn chaired the event, and Lyu Jian, Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Thai MOST permanent secretary Soranit Siltharm and CAS secretary-general Deng Maicun made speeches at the occasion.

Accompanied by Lyu Jian (front left), Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn writes on an electronic screen during her visit to the expo Oct 10.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that innovation is the most important driving force for development and China is actively promoting an innovation-driven strategy and seeking scientific and technological cooperation with the rest of the world while improving its own science and technology, Lyu said in his speech.

He said China has launched the Belt and Road Scientific and Technological Innovation Action Plan and has been promoting the sharing of global scientific achievements.

According to the organizers, the expo showcases Chinese technological achievements and practical technology, products and services that meet the needs of 10 target industries in Thailand.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the agreement between the two countries on intergovernmental scientific and technological cooperation. Twenty-one joint committee meetings on science and technology have been held, resulting in more than 800 cooperation projects covering agriculture, energy, medicine and health, biology and other areas, Lyu noted.

The cooperation on scientific and technological innovation between the two countries will keep growing to integrate the Thai Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan and the “Thailand 4.0” strategy with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Lyu added.

Deng Maicun explained CAS’s development, saying that CAS attaches much importance to cooperation with Thai academicians, scientists and enterprises, as well as the strategic partnership with Thai MOST and the Thailand Research Foundation.

CAS launched an innovation cooperation center in Thailand at the end of last year, which aims to promote the transformation and industrialization of the advanced technologies and achievements made through cooperation on scientific innovations between China and ASEAN countries.

He said that the expo aims to further promote the two countries’ key cooperation projects in prioritized areas, and make greater contributions to the sustainable development and innovation of ASEAN countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Soranit Siltharm reported the latest scientific progress made by Thai MOST and CAS in a wide range of fields, such as biotechnology, nuclear and plasma physics, space technology and geographic information science, water resources and disaster management, and astronomy.

He said that joint research and academic exchanges between Thailand and China have promoted the transfer of knowledge and technology, and enhanced the exchanges and friendship of scientific personnel between the two countries.

The projects involving nanotechnology, a Chinese-Thai automatic translation system, nuclear physics, meteorological satellites and astronomy have been put into use and have facilitated the economic and social development of both nations.

Maha Chakri Sirindhorn said she appreciated the boom in scientific cooperation between Thailand and China. She said she believes that the most efficient way to improve Thailand’s scientific strength is to cooperate with influential players.

The expo showcases friendship and will provide strong support for follow-up cooperation, she said.

Accompanied by CAS representatives and Thai officials, she visited a group of devices and facilities, such as virtual reality equipment for ocean expeditions, the V-EYE multi-feature recognition system on humans and an infrared angiography instrument.

Guests from Thailand listen to an explanation of a model of China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST).

Lyu Jian and Soranit Siltharm held interviews with Chinese and Thai media, explaining the progress of Sino-Thai cooperation projects.

The CAS Innovation Expo will last until Oct 14.

Source: CAS