BEIJING, June 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On June
24, ten experts received the China International Science and
Technology Cooperation Award at the National Science and Technology
Award Conference in Beijing.
They stand as eminent experts who have collaborated closely with
their peers for years, making significant contributions to
international scientific cooperation. This recognition underscores
China's commitment to
technological innovation and promoting global scientific
collaboration.
In recent interviews with Science and Technology Daily (S&T
Daily), foreign experts working in China praised this commitment, highlighting
China's advancement across various
technological domains and its supportive environment for
international talents.
Integrating into global innovation network
China has become deeply
integrated into the global innovation network, committed to
creating an open research environment.
"China actively collaborates
with international research institutions and scientists, fostering
an environment of shared knowledge and joint innovation," said
Italian scientist Francesco Faiola,
who became the first full-time foreign researcher at the Research
Center for Eco-Environmental Science of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences in 2014.
He cited the numerous Chinese initiatives and programs to
encourage international collaboration. One of the most prominent,
according to him, is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for
International Cooperation in Science and Technology, which aims to
enhance scientific research partnerships with BRI countries,
focusing on areas such as agriculture, health, and engineering.
Matteo Cavalleri, publisher of
Strategy & Portfolio Development, AIP Publishing, echoed
Faiola's sentiments. "Investment in research infrastructure has
also been a priority for China,
particularly in developing robust data repositories and open
science platforms. These investments support the storage, sharing,
and dissemination of scientific data and publications, further
facilitating open science practices," Cavalleri told S&T
Daily.
According to him, China has
consistently taken the lead in the number of papers published under
an open-access model in physical sciences, establishing itself as a
major contributor to open science globally since 2018. In tandem
with this, various training programs and workshops are cultivating
a culture of openness and accountability in research practices
across China's scientific
community.
Inclusive academic ecosystem
China has stepped up efforts to
promote technological innovation to benefit more countries and
people, attracting domestic and international talents to advance
the cause of science and technology.
Konstantinos Pouleros, a Greek cable expert, is the
manufacturing director at Ningbo Orient Cables company. Having
worked in China for nearly six
years, he has seen the substantial investment in R&D creating
an environment where engineers can thrive and innovate.
"China's R&D culture makes
life easier for engineers," he said.
Igor Alexandrov, a Russian expert
at Changzhou University in
Jiangsu province, east
China, also highlighted
China's supportive research
environment. "It is very good, especially when you get access to
well-equipped institutions. [China] provides great opportunities for
scientists, especially young researchers from different countries,
to come to China and achieve
important results," he said.
"Working in an internationally collaborative environment in
China has been incredibly
rewarding," Faiola added, pointing out that international
researchers working in China have
access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment that may not
be readily available in their home countries.
Enrico Marsili, an Italian
chemical engineer at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China
(UNNC), praised the unique opportunities in China's research environment, calling
China's investment in quality
research and researchers "a wise move".
Marsili's co-worker at the UNNC, Alain
Chong, pointed out another side of China's flourishing academic ecosystem.
China provides support for both
local and international talent and this inclusiveness extends to
funding and grants for researchers regardless of nationality,
making international talent recognized and valued. "These little
things that the government does make a big difference," he
said.
Green growth shows technological prowess
Green development is now a key focus for China. The rapid development and adoption of
green technologies showcase the ability to innovate and address
pressing environmental concerns.
Andreas Thorud, general manager
of seafood giant Nordic Aqua and an old China hand, lauded China's "strong commitment to green
transitioning". "The results are impressive," he remarked. "I've
seen the changes over the years. There have been amazing
achievements, particularly in the development of renewable energy
industries, such as solar panel expansion."
"China's greenness is visual,"
said Pouleros, talking about the good impression left on his
customers and visitors from Europe
who are struck by the Chinese cities with extensive green
spaces.
Pouleros also emphasized the significant strides China has made in the sci-tech sphere,
especially in the green energy sector. "Chinese companies lead in
battery development for global markets, contributing to a better
future environmentally and ensuring long-term sustainability for
the planet. This benefits not only us but also future generations,"
he said.
Empowering lives
"I don't think anyone would have ever imagined what China has made in the last 40 years,"
Brian Linden, an American
entrepreneur living in Yunnan
province in south China for
decades, told S&T Daily. "If our goal for all humanity is to
make sure that everybody lives at a certain level, a quality life,
the world should be proud of what China has achieved in 40 years."
After 10 years in China, UNNC's
Chong is particularly impressed by the country's rapid progress in
the digital economy and AI industry, especially in empowering
people's lives. "The speed at which new technologies are developed
and embraced by society [here] is truly impressive," he said,
adding that the Chinese have shown a remarkable willingness to
embrace technological advancements.
From his perspective, China's
progress in biotechnology and healthcare has broader implications
for global health and sustainability. "The development of vaccines,
biotech research, and commitment to environmental sustainability
highlight China's growing
influence in these critical areas," he said.
According to Faiola, China
understands that to achieve global growth progress in science and
technology is crucial. "These advancements significantly enhance
the well-being of its people. This is particularly evident in the
emphasis China has placed on
applied science and technology in recent years," he said.
China's diverse development was
summed up by Jose Manuel Martinez
Gonzalez, a Spanish expert with Ningbo Vinon Import &
Export company who has over 15 years of foreign trade experience."
China's achievement in the
sci-tech field is really hard to describe by focusing on one single
area," he said.
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SOURCE Science and Technology Daily