First International High-level Forum on Bioeconomy held in Beijing

Source: www.gov.cn Published Thur September 15, 2005

OThe First International High-level Forum Bioeconomy was held in Beijing on the 14th. State Councilor Chen Zhili said in her speech at the opening ceremony that we should vigorously promote biotechnology research and development and industrialization, develop bioeconomy, and promote sustainable development. “China’s population is large, and the per capita natural resource ownership is far below the world average” said Chen. Modern biotechnology and bioeconomy will provide new support for China's sustainable development. It provides new ways to ensure food security, improve people's health, transform traditional industries, improve the ecological environment, alleviate energy pressure, and ensure biosecurity.

Chen Zhili said that after nearly 20 years of continuous efforts, China's biotechnology research and development and industrialization have made great progress. The Chinese government is taking a series of major measures to further promote biotechnology research and development and industrialization. The forthcoming Outline of the National Medium- and Long-term Science and Technology Development Plan has included biotechnology as one of the highest priority and important research fields, and supports it in terms of policies, funds and talents. In addition, the "National Leading Group for Biotechnology Research and Development and Promotion of Industrialization" has been established, the "National Biotechnology and Industrialization Development Outline" and "Biosafety Law" are being formulated, and a bioindustry industry association will be established, all of which have created good conditions for the development of bio-economy.

Chen Zhili shakes hands with scholars and experts at the forum.

Chen Zhili said that the Chinese government will vigorously promote the research and development and industrialization of biotechnology, and strive to build China into a biotechnology power and a major bioindustry country. She stressed that China will further expand and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, learn from the advanced experience of other countries in developing the bioeconomy, and is willing to work with friends from other countries to jointly promote the development of the bioeconomy.

The forum was jointly organized by relevant departments of the Chinese Government, the United Nations Development Programme, UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, UNIDO, the World Health Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.