来源：科技日报

Written By WANG Xueqin

Located in the southwestern frontier of China, Yunnan is a major gateway to Southeast Asia and South Asia. Its advantage lies in its location and potential to open up to foreign markets.

Recent years have witnessed Yunnan's efforts to develop key industries and promote three provincial initiatives — green energy, green food, and a healthy living environment based on the conditions of the province. It has actively engaged in international scientific and technological cooperation projects in the fields of agriculture, green energy, new materials and other industries and has carried out scientific and technological cooperation with Cambodia, France, the United States and other countries. Yunnan has also explored such programs as the Young Scientists Exchange Program, the Asian Cooperation Fund Program and the China-Japan Youth Science and Technology Exchange Program.

To optimize Yunnan's potential and advantages, four important areas of sci-tech development focus are the following:

Firstly, we should lay a solid foundation for building a regional science and technology innovation center.

With support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of PRC（MOST), the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center (CSTTC), the China-ASEAN Innovation Center and the BRICS Technology Transfer Center have been established to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges in such fields as modern agriculture, energy and power, ecological protection, medical and health care and software services. We are working on the special plan of Smart Yunnan, aiming to serve young scientists and entrepreneurs from Laos, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka other countries.

Secondly, we need to maximize the role and advantages of international science and technology commissioners.

In April 2021, Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department sent 12 international science and technology commissioners to South Asian and Southeast Asian countries to deepen international science and technology cooperation. The commissioners have provided sci-tech services in agricultural crops and plant medicine cultivation, biomass energy and other fields in more than 10 countries, including Laos and Vietnam. We have co-built 23 science and technology demonstration parks, demonstration bases and technology testing stations, exported and popularized 71 advanced and applicable varieties of technology, and introduced 16 new varieties. Our work has been affirmed by relevant national science and technology administrative departments.

Thirdly, we should optimize the services for foreign experts in the context of epidemic prevention and control.

Here we have made some innovative moves in providing the services for foreign experts by establishing a green channel for them to seek medical service in Yunnan.

In addition, we take steps in optimizing the work permit process for foreigners to work in China. All foreigners' work permit applications are handled online, and exploring new models of talent introduction, such as offshore innovation and remote cooperation.

Finally, we need to propel international scientific, technological, cultural and people-to-people exchanges through multiple channels for the purposes of "building a platform, promoting communication, attracting talents, creating projects, and boosting cooperation."

In November 2020, we held the 5th Yunnan Conference on International Exchange of Professionals. The Conference adopted the two-way interactive innovation mode, turning the conference into a never-ending exchange event.

In May this year, the Yunnan part of the China-EU Research and Innovation Stakeholders Tour 2021 introduced the policies of the EU and its member states on sci-tech innovation and their relevant cooperation with China, as well as the rules for participating in the EU-China Co-Funding Mechanism for Research and Innovation. Hence, the event acts as an exchange platform for researchers interested in China-EU intergovermental sci-tech cooperation programs.

In the future, we will continue to take a global view, deepening the construction of Yunnan's international talent exchange platform, and cultivating a number of leading talents and innovation teams in the fields of biomedicine, green energy, new-generation information technology, ecological and environmental protection. We will also accelerate the implementation of the Smart Yunnan Plan. Specifically, without regard to nationality and identity, we will encourage outstanding young scientists and talents from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative to expand innovation and start businesses in Yunnan.

WANG Xueqin is Secretary of the Leading Party Group and Director of Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department.