Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), met with a delegation led by Achaka Sriboonreung, Thailand's Minister of Science and Technology, in Beijing on April 3.

Bai Chunli, president of CAS, talks with Achaka Sriboonreung, Thailand's Minister of Science and Technology in Beijing on April 3. [Image from CAS]

Bai welcomed Sriboonreung, and congratulated him on the establishment of a science and technology office in China by Thailand's Ministry of Science and Technology. Bai introduced the integration of scientific research institutes, departments, educational institutions and enterprises in CAS, pointing out that CAS and the Thai scientific and technological community have close cooperation in astronomy, biology, ecology, environment, agriculture and other fields. There is also very good cooperation in the training of scientific research personnel. At present, more than 40 young Thai scholars are studying and working in CAS through the CAS President's International Fellowship Initiative and the CAS-TWAS President's Fellowship Programme. Bai added that he was very pleased to meet with Sriboonreung and to witness the signing of the cooperation agreement in nanotechnology and agricultural monitoring.

Bai said that CAS actively responded to the suggestion of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and established a CAS Innovation Cooperation Center in Bangkok last year. He added that he hopes the center will further deepen scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries, and promote the transfer, transformation, and industrialization of the advanced and appropriate technologies of CAS in Thailand as well as the economic development of Thailand and other ASEAN countries. Bai expressed thanks to the Thai side for their support and help. He said that Thailand is an important country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and that Thailand’s 4.0 strategy and its Eastern Economic Corridor plan coincide with China's Belt and Road Initiative and innovation-driven development strategy. Bai hoped that the two countries will continue to deepen their scientific and technological cooperation and promote common development for the benefit of their peoples.

Sriboonreung expressed heartfelt thanks to CAS for the technological cooperation. He also conveyed greetings from Thai Prime Minister. Sriboonreung invited CAS to deeply participate in the construction of the Eastern Economic Corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative. He hoped that the cooperation can be extended to drug development, precision medicine, and joint solutions to challenges of an aging society. Bai was in total agreement.

After the meeting, Bai and Sriboonreung witnessed the signing of two MOUs, one between CAS’ National Center of Nanoscience and Technology and the Center of Nanoscience and Technology of Thailand, and the other between CAS’ Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center of Thailand.

Officials from the Bureau of International Co-operation, the Bureau for Science and Technology Development, the National Center of Nanoscience and Technology and CAS’ Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth attended the above activities.

Source: CAS