Chinese innovation expo aims for closer ties 

Co-hosted by the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), the expo showcases Chinese technological achievements over the years, practical technology, products and services that meet the needs of 10 target industries in the Thai Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), China’s Ambassador to Thailand, Lyu Jian, said. “This expo is being held with the aim of deepening China-Thailand cooperation in science and technology, and to give the public a clear picture about scientific innovation in China,” he said at the opening ceremony. 
The CAS Innovation Expo Bangkok 2018 is the first CAS technological expo outside China. It runs until October 14 at the Ballroom, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. “We hope that through this expo, technological cooperation between Thailand and China can develop further, leading to more projects and exchange of researchers and students,” said Soranit Siltharm, permanent secretary at Thailand’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the agreement between the two countries on intergovernmental scientific and technological cooperation. Twenty-one joint committee meetings on science and technology have been held, resulting in more than 800 cooperation programmes covering agriculture, energy, medicine and health, biology and other areas, according to ambassador Lyu.
“The two governments will continue to increase substantially their support for joint research. By the end of this year, 10 more bilateral scientific cooperation programmes will be agreed upon through consultation, and the Chinese side will offer as much as 1 million renminbi [Bt4.76 million] to each programme,” he said. 
Established in November 1949, the CAS is the highest academic institution for natural sciences, the highest advisory institution on science and technology, and the most comprehensive research and development institution for natural science and high technology in China. 
“CAS has chosen Thailand for its first international expo because of the long-standing cooperation in the field of technology between Thailand and China. Furthermore, the technological cooperation between Thailand and China has developed rapidly in the past few years, such as holding joint research and development of high-speed railway in Thailand or investments in Thailand from various Chinese tech firms like Huawei and Alibaba,” Lyu said. In line with the Thai government’s 4.0 policy, China aims to contribute to the development of the 10 targeted S-Curve industries in Thailand such as investing in research on robotics, healthcare and next-gen automotives, as well as encouraging Chinese firms to further invest in the EEC, Lyu said.