2019 China Forum for Science and Technology Think Tanks held in Harbin

The 2019 China Forum for Science and Technology Think Tanks is held in Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang, on June 28, 2019. 

Co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province, the 2019 China Forum for Science and Technology Think Tanks was held in Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang, on June 28, 2019.

The theme of forum was "New era, new strategy, new momentum: technological innovation and northeast China revitalization."

Huai Jinpeng, executive vice president of CAST; Chen Haibo, deputy secretary of the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee; and Fang Xin, honorary president of the Chinese Association for Science of Science and S&T Policy, addressed the forum.

The opening ceremony was presided over by CAST executive secretary Shu Wei, and the keynote speeches session was presided over by Ren Fujun, president of the National Academy of Innovation Strategy of CAST.

Huai said that the forum is intended to build a high-end platform for more effectively pooling the intellectual strengths of think tanks and promoting international exchanges.

He offered guidelines for the development of science and technology think tanks.

First, the development of a science and technology think tank requires a strategic thinking and a good grasp of the global development trends.

"Current scientific and technological development is closely related to economic growth, social progress, and global cooperation." said Huai. "At a time when the world is experiencing both scientific and technological development and industrial transformation, science and technology think tanks should grasp the laws governing innovative development, science and technology management, and talent cultivation. They should have a clear knowledge of the state and future of the science and technology industry in order to effectively serve economic and social development."

Second, the development of a science and technology think tank requires a scientific thinking and a good grasp of the methods for conducting research.

"When conducting research activities, think tanks should attach equal importance to technological innovation and think tank self-innovation, while keeping in mind that moral integrity and scientific and technological development are equally important," said Huai. "They should not only render support to the formulation of science and technology policies, but should also offer advice to the government in their decision-making process to ensure the process is scientific and logical. Moreover, they should promote integration of science and technology with education, culture and industry to create a better environment for scientific and technological development."

Third, the development of a science and technology think tank requires an open mind toward exchanges and cooperation.

"Science and technology think tanks should establish platforms for extensive international exchanges and collaboration toward tackling challenges facing global science. More importantly, they should pull the wisdom of the entire research community to advance science and technology and human civilization," said Huai.

Last, the development of a science and technology think tank requires an outstanding organizational capacity and a solid foundation for future development.

"China ranks first in the world in terms of scientific and technological manpower.Chinese science and technology think tanks should tap into this vast talent pool and their professional expertise and better match their scientific research achievements with national development," said Huai. "More importantly, they should help make sure that China's scientific and technological development is in line with the global scientific and technological trend. When doing this, they are really putting the vast talent pool into practical use.

Huai expected think tanks attending the forum to offer scientific advice and contribute to northeast China revitalization.

"Think tanks will study Heilongjiang's advantages in agriculture, ecology and mining, and accordingly offer advice for industrial upgrading and new technology industry development," said Huai. "This way, they will be more able to pool the intellectual resources Heilongjiang needs and contribute to local scientific and technological development and socioeconomic progress."

Chen Haibo said that this forum has thoughtfully designed a series of keynote speeches and thematic dialogues on technological innovation and regional revitalization, offering great help for Heilongjiang to improve its decision-making capability and general work performance.

"Heilongjiang enjoys a solid industrial foundation and unique agricultural advantages. The province is at a period of time with difficulties to tackle, opportunities to seize and achievements to accomplish," said Chen. "With obvious potential, it is now at the right time for development."

Chen hoped that the forum will unleash Heilongjiang's science and technology potential and provide prescription and planning for its revitalization.

Fang Xin noted that at a time when construction of think tanks is receiving increasing attention from the Party leadership and the central government and when northeast China revitalization becomes a major national strategy, science and technology think tanks should be more actively involved in the revitalization and play a greater role.

"In doing so, think tanks should keep in mind that they are working for the country and the people; they should act on facts and reality only instead of blindly copying instructions from the higher-ups or theories; they should be able to make informed and insightful suggestions; and they should design unique methodologies and databases," said Fang.

As an important part of the 21st CAST Annual Meeting, the forum focused on the development problems and challenges facing the new era. Participants shared their insights on such major topics as northeast China revitalization, the building of a regional innovation system, and technology transfer and transaction.

The forum represents another key measure to pool the strength of China's science and technology think tanks to implement President Xi Jinping's instructions on northeast China revitalization.

The forum invited five guests to deliver keynote speeches.

Guo Huadong, academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and researcher at the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth of CAS, discussed how to promote sustainable development of northeast China under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Deng Zongquan, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and professor at the Harbin Institute of Technology, offered his thoughts and suggestions on solving problems hindering industrial technology innovation.

Ma Dexiu, former Party secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said that to revitalize northeast China, the core is to make reform and opening up the primary growth driver, urging the region to constantly attract innovative resources and talents.

Xue Lan, a senior professor of humanities and dean of Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, shared his views on what are the resource and institutional factors restricting northeast China's innovative development, and offered his solutions accordingly.

Mu Rongping, president of the Chinese Association for Science of Science and S&T Policy, offered his understanding of China's vision for innovative development and the main tasks for building up innovative capacity.

In addition, fifteen experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from famous Chinese think tanks, universities, research institutes and CAST departments and affiliated societies joined two panel discussions on "Regional Innovation System and Innovative Development of Northeast China" and "Technology Transfer and Transaction and Policies" respectively.

The forum was organized by the National Academy of Innovation Strategy of CAST with support from the Chinese Association for Science of Science and S&T Policy and the Heilongjiang Provincial Association for Science and Technology. It was attended by over 200 representatives of more than 40 think tanks, universities, research institutes and enterprises.