South Africa and China target enhanced research and innovation collaboration in Shanghai

South Africa is looking to strengthen its science and innovation partnerships with China at the 19th Pujiang innovation forum in Shanghai. 

Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande said the country will use the forum to showcase the country’s scientific capabilities.

South Africa is the country of honour at the four-day forum making it the first African country to receive the designation.

Nzimande said South Africa will highlight work in areas including vaccine development, nuclear medicine, hydrogen technology and climate-change research.

He said the forum also provides an opportunity to build partnerships between South African scientists, universities, science councils and the private sector and their counterparts in China.

Nzimande said China’s position as a global leader in innovation together with both countries’ membership of BRICS creates opportunities to take South African science to a higher level.

The Pujiang innovation forum runs from the 11th to the 14th of September.