He Junke Meets with South African Minister of Science and Innovation

He Junke, Executive Secretary of the leading Party members group, Executive President and Chief Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), met with Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science and Innovation of South Africa, and his delegation in Beijing on June 9, 2025.

In September 2024, during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (2024 FOCAC), witnessed by President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa, the CAST and the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation.

During this meeting, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on implementing the diplomatic outcomes of the two heads of state.

He Junke stressed that the Chinese scientific community has always adhered to the concept of open cooperation and is willing to strengthen exchanges with international counterparts, including those in South Africa, to jointly promote sci-tech progress and improve human well-being.

He concluded that the CAST is ready to deepen pragmatic cooperation with the DSI and contribute to building a comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era between the two countries.

Nzimande applauded China's achievements in science and technology and the results of its science and technology system reform in the new era.

He said that both the Chinese and South African governments attach great importance to sci-tech innovation, which has laid a solid foundation for cooperation in science and technology between the two sides.

He expressed his willingness to strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields with China and looks forward to working with the CAST to achieve greater results in cooperation on science popularization, sci-tech cooperation, sci-tech talent cultivation, and science education.

Nzimande and his delegation also visited the China Science and Technology Museum (CSTM) to gain an in-depth understanding of the construction of China's modern science museum system with its own characteristics.

Officials from relevant departments and institutions affiliated with the CAST attended the meeting.

Tag: Department of International Affairs of CAST