On October 25, 2014, the Pujiang Innovation Forum 2014 was opened in Shanghai. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin of Russia respectively sent congratulatory letters.
Xi Jinping, in his letter, warmly congratulated the convening of the Forum, and sincerely welcomed the Russian delegation and distinguished guests from various countries attending the Forum. He pointed out that science and technology leads to progress and innovation changes the world. In today's world, a new round of scientific and technological as well as industrial revolutions are springing up, and science and technology is more and more becoming the vital driving force boosting economic and social development. China is now implementing the strategy of innovation-driven development and pushing comprehensive innovation with scientific and technological innovation as its core. We will enhance international cooperation on scientific and technological innovation in an all-round way, actively participate in global innovation network and join hands with people around the world to address common challenges facing mankind so as to realize common development of all nations.
Xi Jinping expressed that Russia boasts unique strength in scientific and technological innovation and has yielded significant innovation results in multiple scientific and technological fields. I believe that intensifying bilateral exchanges and cooperation in science and technology especially in the field of high-tech in accordance with the important consensus reached by President Putin and me conduces to promoting economic and social development of the two countries and deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and helps both peoples make new and greater contribution to safeguarding world peace and pushing forward common development.
Xi Jinping stressed that the Forum is under the theme of "Coordinated Innovation and Sharing Opportunities". I hope that the meeting will spread the concept of innovative development, boost exchanges of innovative ideas, and establish a platform for innovative cooperation, thus to positively contribute to international cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and civilization progress of mankind.
Putin expressed in his letter that Russia and China both boast unique economic potential and enjoy rich cooperation experience in multiple areas. It is particularly important for the two countries to strengthen coordination, promote mutual investment, actively implement promising innovative projects and expand direct link between scientific and technological as well as business circles in today's world. He expressed his belief that the Pujiang Innovation Forum 2014 will inject new vigor into the consolidation of the bilateral comprehensive cooperative relations.
Wan Gang, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Minister of Science and Technology, and Andrei Fursenko, Vice Chairman of the Education and Science Commission to the Russian President and Advisor to the Russian President, respectively read out congratulatory letters of Xi Jinping and Putin at the opening ceremony of the Forum.
Established in 2008, the Pujiang Innovation Forum is an annual event jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Municipal People's Government of Shanghai. The Forum, themed with innovation, focuses on need of the country and sticks to a global perspective, carrying out in-depth exchanges on various domestic and international hotspot issues in the field of innovation. Russia is invited to act as the guest country of honor for the Forum.