CAS President Bai Chuli addresses the opening ceremony of the forum. [Image: CAS]

The 2019 ANSO Young Scientists Forum and Zhejiang International Science & Technology Cooperation Conference opened in Qiantang New Area of Hangzhou, capital of East China’s Zhejiang province on November 9.

Sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government, it was organized by the provincial science and technology department, and the provincial foreign affairs office, the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) in the Belt and Road Region, the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok) and the Administrative Committee of Qiantang New Area.

More than 500 people from 30-plus countries and regions attended. CAS President Bai Chunli, Zhejiang Governor Yuan Jiajun and Nobel Laureate Barry Sharpless as well as Zabta Shinwari, former secretary general of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, gave speeches at the forum.

After expressing his welcome, Yuan Jiajun pointed out that in recent years, Zhejiang has been unswervingly implementing the innovation driven strategy and carrying out new policies to support scientific development and attract talents. It will deepen cooperation with global partners in an all-round way and build a community with shared scientific innovations in the Belt and Road region though planning of large-scale international science research.

In Bai’s opening speech, he expressed sincere thanks to the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and the provincial government for their long-term support for CAS, fully affirmed the cooperation achievements between the two sides, including the Institute of Oncology and Basic Medicine, and an institute of higher learning under the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hangzhou.

He also introduced the achievements of ANSO over the years and talked about plans for the organization. He stressed the important role played by young scientists in promoting scientific and technological progress, and welcomed them to actively participate in Belt and Road development.

In addition, at the opening a round-table session centering on innovation and sharing in the era of scientific and technological globalization was held, where Qiu Min, vice-president of Westlake University in Hangzhou, China's first private school aimed at cultivating high-level talents in advanced technology, and scientists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Nepal’s Tribhuvan University shared ideas.

About 40 agreements were reached to promote international cooperation at the event.

In addition to the opening and the round-table session, the forum also included parallel forums on life science, the role of fundamental research in supporting sustainable development, and the digital economy (Internet Plus). Road shows and business negotiations, as well as project matchmaking and  an ANSO young scientists forum were also on the agenda.

Furthermore, Jinhua and Wenzhou, two cities in Zhejiang, held promotional events for their projects during the forum.

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences