On the afternoon of April 16, the opening ceremony of Seminário sobre a inovação científica e empreendedorismo do Brasil (Seminar on Scientific Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Brazil), sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and hosted by the MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai) of Shanghai Business School, commenced with great success. Fang Meng from the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Chen Wei, the executive vice dean of the College of International Education, Shanghai Business School, and deputy director of the MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai), and Huang Lihong, Director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center, attended the ceremony.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Over the past half-century, Sino-Brazilian relations have flourished based on principles of equality, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation. In April 2023, President Lula visited China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, engaging in in-depth strategic communication and reaching an important consensus on diplomatic relations and cooperation across various fields. During the visit, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering trade and investment, digital economy, technological innovation, information and communication, poverty reduction, quarantine, and aerospace. Against this backdrop, this seminar underscores those practical commitments by strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Brazil. Also, providing a broad platform to enhance exchanges and cooperation among entrepreneurs and innovators in the fields of scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship in both countries.
Fang Meng highlighted the significant strides made in Sino-Brazil relations in recent years, emphasizing the bolstered political mutual trust and the conclusion of multiple bilateral cooperation agreements. As a global center for technological innovation, Shanghai is intensifying its scientific and technological collaboration with numerous countries to advance high-level technological self-sufficiency. Having established intergovernmental scientific and technological cooperation ties with over 20 countries and regions across five continents, Shanghai has amassed abundant resources and valuable experience in the field of scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship. He stated that the seminar not only facilitates mutual learning and exchanges among participants but also contributes to elevating the friendly relationship between China and Brazil to new heights.
Chen Wei noted Brazil’s distinction as the first developing country to establish a strategic partnership with China and the inaugural Latin American nation to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. As the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil boasts abundant natural resources, immense market potential, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem. As the world's second-largest economy, China continuously enhances its technological innovation capabilities, while the entrepreneurial environment sees ongoing optimization. There exists an expansive scope for cooperation and vast potential for development in the field of technological innovation and entrepreneurship between China and Brazil. This seminar aims to cultivate talents in science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship for Brazil through exchange and cooperation, thereby fortifying collaboration between the two nations in the field of science and technology innovation and promoting mutual development.
Huang Lihong expressed that the Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center, as a national high-tech entrepreneurship service center, is committed to supporting technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises and fostering the construction of a scientific and technological innovation ecosystem. In March 2023, the Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center signed a cross-border cooperation memorandum with the Association of Brazilian Start-ups, aiming to deepen the integration of China and Brazil's innovation ecosystem and accelerate the development of technology enterprises. This seminar has provided a platform for further communication and exchange between China and Brazil in technology innovation and entrepreneurship. It is believed that candid exchanges and sincere sharing between participants and experts will further cement mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.
The official representative, Jean Robert Ferreira, General Coordinator of Strategic Technology from the Innovation and Technological Development Department of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, conveyed gratitude to China for providing opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Brazil and China in his speech. He notably highlighted the CBERS-5 satellite project as a testament to the successful collaboration between the two nations in the high-tech arena. Participants of this seminar are composed of senior civil servants from multiple research and technical institutions in Brazil. They are eager for the upcoming training program, aspiring for it to further enhance scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges between Brazil and China.
The seminar spans over 10 days, with a total of 25 officials from various departments, including the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Federatiue Republic of Brazil, the Brazilian Space Agency, and the National Council for Science and Technological Development. Participants will visit Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, as part of the itinerary.
Written by: Ma Yizhou
Photos by: Li Zheng
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
