South Africa is making significant strides in strengthening its global science and technology relationships. Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will lead a high-level delegation to China next week to attend the Second Ministerial Belt and Road Science and Technology Conference in Chengdu. The conference, taking place from 11-12 June 2025, brings together experts, researchers, and officials from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries to discuss the future of scientific collaboration and innovation.
Themed “Together for Innovation, Development for All – Jointly Building a Scientific and Technological Innovation Community for the Belt and Road,” the conference will focus on advancing scientific and technological partnerships across nations, including those from ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Minister Nzimande highlighted the importance of this event for South Africa’s growth in key technological sectors. “The Belt and Road Science and Technology Conference presents South Africa with a unique opportunity to enhance cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in key technology areas such as artificial intelligence, future energy, transport systems, and traditional medicines. These technology areas are also essential for South Africa’s long-term development,” he said in a media statement.
A key part of Minister Nzimande’s visit will be a meeting with Mr. Yin Hejun, China’s Minister of Science and Technology. The two leaders will discuss the current state of science and technology collaboration between South Africa and China, as well as explore future areas of cooperation.
In addition, the Minister will meet with Chinese institutions and companies, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, and Huawei, among others.
Accompanying Minister Nzimande will be senior executives from South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and National System of Innovation (NSI), including representatives from the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), to name a few. Prof. Motlalepula Matsabisa, a specialist in Indigenous Knowledge Systems from the University of the Free State, is also part of the delegation.
Through this visit, the South African government aims to showcase the growing partnership between South Africa and China in science, technology, and innovation, with a special emphasis on South-to-South cooperation. The Minister stressed the importance of encouraging young scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs in South Africa to engage with global innovation networks.
“The goal is to strengthen South Africa’s position within the global science community and advance Africa’s science agenda,” Minister Nzimande added.
