Editor's Note: With grass growing and flowers budding in February, warm breeze and gentle sunshine ushers in the prime of Spring. In our previous articles posted in the Spring Festival, we celebrated the achievements in people-to-people diplomacy made by Beijing's social organizations, universities, enterprises, and national associations and chambers. The past three years have also witnessed other wonderful highlights in the fields of youth, women and children, trade promotion, and science and technology. Impressive results have been achieved through a series of activities that showcased the power of young people and the charisma of women, invigorated the economy, and demonstrated the apex of science and technology. Today, let's dive into these vivid stories and explore the exciting and diverse accomplishments of Beijing's people-to-people diplomacy.

In recent years, by leveraging its advantages as a platform-based, open, and hub-like organization, the Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST) has sought access to international sci-tech organizations and talent to become a more active part of the global sci-tech innovation network. It has also contributed to improving Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges and building an international center of innovation, thus opening up a new prospect for external exchanges in the fields of science and technology.

I. Expand global sci-tech cooperation networks

Newly explored external exchange platforms have enabled online interactions with overseas sci-tech institutions. For example, online presence at the Annual Conference of Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres (ASPAC) and European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA) Annual Conference; virtual meetings with sci-tech institutions in Germany, Italy, South Africa, and other countries; and the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition, in which foreign teenagers were invited to participate online. In addition, activities such as the Sino-Italian Exchange Event, the Science Museum CEO's Dialogue, and the "2023 Scientific New Year - Best Wishes from Foreign Friends" helped promote people-to-people diplomacy and expand our international network of friends.

Sino-Italian Exchange Event

The Second Science Museum CEO's Dialogue

II. Boost international sci-tech exchanges

To enhance its academic reputation, Beijing has redoubled efforts to pursue high-end and internationalized development with a focus on cutting-edge fields and young sci-tech talent. Specifically, signature programs such as the Beijing Science and Technology Academic Exchange Month and the Beijing Frontier Academic Achievement Symposiums have been held, and support has been given to nearly 60 international sci-tech events organized by other institutions. To promote scientific and people-to-people exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative, support has been offered to Beijing Technology and Business University and Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture to respectively hold the 7th Forum on China-Pakistan Scientific, Technological and Economic Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of BRUAIC & Forum on Higher Education in Architecture.

Online Dialogue for International Engineers and Technicians

The Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of BRAUIC & Forum on Higher Education in Architecture

III. Strengthen cooperation with international sci-tech organizations

Support has been given to the building of international organization clusters, the launch of international sci-tech organizations, the appointment of their experts and scholars, and the settlement of such organizations in Beijing. A liaison mechanism has been established to maintain contact with more than 20 key international sci-tech organizations, including the International Association for Computational Mechanics (IACM) and the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), to facilitate information sharing and business cooperation.

International Conference on Geo-Informatics Supported Disaster Risk Reduction & Smarter Urban Management, ISPRS

IV. Serve Overseas Talents

Since 2020, BAST has been creating channels for overseas experts to serve Beijing's development and pushing forward the construction of the National Offshore Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base for Overseas Professionals in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA). It has partnered with E-Town to explore a new model of innovation and entrepreneurship in offshore bases with the "Initiative on Overseas Professionals Serving Capital's Development", an important platform for global talent development. More service centers for overseas professionals have been set up, with 30 such centers identified in Beijing, covering the "three science cities and one hi-tech area" and innovators of various kinds. A series of "Innovation Link" activities have been held to support 10 institutions, including Peking University, in attracting overseas brains for the high-quality development of the capital.

Inauguration Ceremony of Beijing E-Town Offshore Innovation Center