Officials from China and Southeast Asia called for closer scientific and technological cooperation at the 10th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation, which opened on Thursday in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The five-day event, which is hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Guangxi government, attracted some 200 delegates to participate online and offline on the opening day.

Wang Zhigang, the Chinese minister of science and technology, said China has always viewed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a preferred partner in international cooperation in sci-tech innovation.

"In recent years, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, together with the relevant departments of ASEAN countries, has been actively promoting the China-ASEAN Sci-Tech Partnership Program and the Belt and Road Sci-Tech Innovation Action Plan, and has achieved practical results in cultural and educational exchanges in the sci-tech sphere, technology transfer, co-building of laboratories, and cooperation in sci-tech parks, innovation and entrepreneurship," Wang said, adding this has contributed to regional economic development and the improvement of people's lives.

He suggested China and ASEAN strengthen cooperation in technology transfer and research and development by giving full play to institutions such as the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center and the Center for China-ASEAN Sci-Tech Cooperation in Public Health.

Xu Xianhui, vice-chairman of the Guangxi government, said Guangxi is ready to boost cooperation in scitech innovation with ASEAN members and called for efforts to improve the sci-tech communication and cooperation mechanisms to facilitate the flow of resources, technology, information and talent.

Also speaking at the event was ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, who highlighted the important role of digital technology in advancing sustainable growth.

Lim suggested China and ASEAN work more closely in fields such as digital economy, smart cities, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Adham Baba, the Malaysian minister of science, technology and innovation, said the forum is a testimony of active ASEAN-China cooperation through the ASEAN-China Plan of Action for a Closer Partnership of Science, Technology and Innovation for the Future (2021-25).