On December 11, as one of the important events of the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2020, “China-South Africa Science Park Cooperation Webinar & the Online Signing Ceremony for Cross-border Incubator” was successfully held. Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General of South African Department of Science and Innovation, Ruan Xiangping, First-class Inspector of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Shen Long, Minister-Counselor of the Science and Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Li Youping, Deputy Director-General of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Qi Haibing, Director-General of the Administrative Committee of Xi’an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone, and other leaders attended and addressed the ceremony.
Deputy Director-General Daan du Toit expressed his warm congratulations on the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-border Incubator Cooperation between China and South Africa. He hoped that the two sides would take this opportunity to accelerate the practical cooperation on China-South Africa Science Park Program. First-class Inspector Ruan Xiangping said that she was glad to see substantive progress made in China-South Africa Science Park cooperation and looked forward to working with the South African Department of Science and Innovation to support the cooperation on China-South Africa Science Park Program and promote the common development of economy and science and technology between the two countries. Minister-Counselor Shen Long said that the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-border Incubator Cooperation between China and South Africa is an important milestone in China-South Africa Science Park cooperation. He hoped that this incubator as an innovation hub could effectively promote the transfer and transformation of innovative technologies between China and South Africa, cultivate a large number of outstanding start-ups as soon as possible, and benefit the society and people of both countries.
On behalf of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Deputy Director-General Li Youping extended warm congratulations on the grand opening of the event. Director-General Qi Haibing of Xi’an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone wished that China and South Africa would achieve in-depth cooperation and more productive results. Jia Shan, General Manager of LCGF Incubator of Xi’an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone, and Pieter Holl, CEO of the Innovation Hub in Gauteng, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-border Incubator Cooperation” respectively on behalf of both parties. The two sides also exchanged good practices and discussed cooperation plans on the construction of the Science Park. The Chinese delegation also shared experience in the construction of China-Australia and China-Belgium science parks, and put forward valuable suggestions for China-South Africa Science Park cooperation.