Wan Gang, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), made a speech at the opening of the second World Science and Technology Development Forum in Beijing on Nov 8.

Wan Gang makes a speech at this year's World Science and Technology Development Forum in Beijing on Nov 8. [Photo/cppcc.gov.cn]

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China stated that China will uphold the central role of innovation in the modernization drive and step up efforts to expand its opening-up in a deeper and wider way, Wan said.

The commitment signals that China will make bigger strides to expand its scientific and technological opening-up and cooperation, Wan noted. 

He called for joint efforts of scientific and technological circles across the globe to uphold openness and inclusiveness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and help the world economy recovery and improve people's livelihood. 

Wan emphasized mutual trust and suggested building a barrier-free and non-discriminatory global community of science and technology with the efforts of global scientific and technological institutions. 

He urged solidarity and concerted efforts from scientific and technological community in promoting common development of the world's innovation-driven growth, and called on all countries to conduct in-depth joint research in fields related to the destiny and future of the mankind, promote synergy with joint efforts of enterprises, universities and research institutes, and facilitate the eco-friendly recovery and sustainable development of the world economy.

The second World Science and Technology Development Forum opens in Beijing on Nov 8. [Photo/ cppcc.gov.cn]

The forum is sponsored by the CAST, the Chinese Academy of Science and the Chinese Academy of Engineering under the theme of "Trust, Cooperation and Development".