China urges against 'politicizing' scientific cooperation, seeks benefits for Global South

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - China Wednesday urged against "politicizing" scientific cooperation and sought benefits for the Global South.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, in his opening speech at the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange in southwestern Sichuan province's capital Chengdu city, called for the global governance of science and technology to be improved to address potential conflicts, social risks, and ethical challenges, the state news agency Xinhua reported.

Ding also emphasized the need to oppose overstretch the concept of security, during his speech.

On a related note, the US has recently tightened restrictions on tech exports to China such as imposing export controls of semiconductors to the East Asian nation and halting the sales of chip design software to China.

Ding said that all countries need to promote inclusive sharing of scientific and technological achievements, improve science and technology access, and ensure that the innovations benefit global community, particularly the Global South.

Iran's Vice President of Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin, Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ramatov Achilbay Jumaniyazovich, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia Marina Ragus also gave speeches during the opening ceremony.

Around 1,500 people from across the world attended the ceremony.