China pledges more sci-tech co-op with developing countries

President Hu Jintao on Tuesday promised more intensive cooperation in science and technology with other developing countries.

As a member of the developing world, China will accelerate technological aid and transfers of applicable technology on the basis of mutual trust, Hu said at the Tuesday session of the 12th general academic conference and 23rd general meeting of academicians of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) in north China's port city of Tianjin.

TWAS, known as the Third World Academy of Sciences until 2004, was founded in 1983 in Trieste, Italy to promote scientific excellence and sustainable development in developing countries.

"We are at the eve of a new scientific and technological revolution," said Hu, adding that developing countries should focus on innovation, strategic planning, talent cultivation and international cooperation.

Hu said China will provide more government scholarships and encourage institutions to enroll more students from other developing countries.

China will gradually add more high-tech projects to its foreign aid packages and help other countries build basic research facilities, technology development platforms and research centers, said Hu.

Dr. Bai Chunli, vice president of TWAS and president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was elected president of TWAS at the meeting.

Bai's term will start on Jan. 1, 2013, when he will replace 72-year-old Brazilian Jacob Palis, current president of TWAS.