South Africa-China Hi-Tech Exhibition, the first of its kind, kicked off on October 13 at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa.   

Jointly held by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Department of Science and Technology of South Africa (DST), the three-day event has attracted 60 Chinese exhibitors to take part in.    

The Chinese exhibitors have brought with them 170 projects which cover sectors of life sciences, energy, advanced manufacturing, information and communication technologies, environmental protection, and herbal and traditional medicine.    

More than 50 South African exhibitors came to showcase their new achievements in scientific and technological innovation in recent years.   

Vice Minister of MOST Hou Jianguo, DST Director General Phil Mjwara, and Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Tian Xuejun attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.  

Hou suggested that further exchange and trust between researchers of the two countries, close collaboration of research institutions and the win-win cooperation of the scientific and technological enterprises be enhanced, so as to further deepen the collaboration of two countries in science and technology innovation.   

Tian said that sci-tech cooperation serves a powerful engine for bilateral development and bilateral relations. 

He said that since Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to South Africa last December, China and South Africa have made substantive progress in delivering early harvests in practical cooperation.   

The ambassador said that China and South Africa have already signed an implementation plan to establish a science and technology park.   

He said that under the framework of China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership Program, China has launched the Young African Scientists Exchange Program, and more and more young South African scientists will have the opportunities to visit Chinese research institutions, universities and companies in the future.   

He noted that in July, Huawei set up in Johannesburg its first Innovation and Experience Center in Africa and jointly launched an Information and Network Academy with the Tshwane University of Technology, aiming to train 1,000 local professionals of information communications technology over the next five years.  

Phil Mjwara said that they chose the format of the Hi-Tech Exhibition, firstly, because it allows participants to showcase their achievements in research and development.   

He said it is also because it creates a dynamic platform for networking and establishing research and investment partnerships. 

(Reporting from South Africa)