ACC and BJAST Co-hosted 2022 Sci-Tech Innovation and Digital Economy Training Programme

From 25 to 26 May 2022, the 2022 Sci-Tech Innovation and Digital Economy Training Programme was held online. Over 600 participants from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China attended the programme, including ASEAN representatives from Embassies in China, relevant ministries, universities and think tanks of Brunei, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines and Viet Nam, and  Chinese participants from local governments, relevant industries and research institutes of Beijing, Shenyang, Zhangjiakou, Urumqi and Shiyan. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and Mr. Wu Jianmin, President of Beijing Academy of Science and Technology (BJAST) addressed the opening session. Ms. Wang Hongliu, Director of the General Affairs and Coordination Division (GACD) of ACC, and other GACD officials attended the conference online.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai noted that ASEAN is an important partner of China. Although severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN-China cooperation has showed strong resilience and brought about fruitful results. At present, digital economy has become the leading industry of a new round of science and technology revolution. With an existing solid foundation and distinct advantages in digital economy cooperation, ASEAN and China should continue to deepen exchanges in such areas as smart cities, artificial intelligence and big data, which will help the economic recovery and sustainable development of the region.

President Wu Jianmin welcomed all participants from AMS and China. He stated that as there is a saying in ASEAN that “the lotus flowers grow taller as the water rises”, ASEAN and China enjoy geographical proximity, cultural affinity and inherent advantages for cooperation. With profound experience in scientific research and innovation, BJAST will continue to build platforms for ASEAN-China cooperation in digital economy and other emerging industries, thus making its own contribution to the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

The training programme was co-hosted by ACC and BJAST with the theme of “Sci-Tech Innovation and Digital Economy”. Lecturers included Mr. Xu Heping, Former Director of Research Office, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Mr. Li Zhiqi, Vice Chairman of Beijing Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Shu Pin, Chairman and CEO of Suirui Technology Group Co., Ltd. and Mr. Yu Jiang, Executive Director of Industrial Science and Technology Strategy Research Center of Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences. They shared research findings and insightful views on digital economy including metaverse from the perspectives of strategy formulation, industry development, global trends and Chinese experience. The programme was widely welcomed by ASEAN and Chinese participants who also actively interacted with the lecturers.