On April 13, a 25-member delegation of French young scientists and entrepreneurs led by Irène Kerner, Legal Representative of Foundation Prospective and Innovation, paid a visit to CASTED. The delegation, comprising representatives of French young scientists, young entrepreneurs, and intellectual property associations, made the visit as part of the China-France High-Level People-to-People Dialogue mechanism to get an informed understanding of China’s STI development and reform, share innovation-driven development experience, and explore future cooperation.

CASTED Vice President Wang Fenyu received and held a meeting with the delegation, where Chen Baoming, Director of the Institute of Comprehensive Development, Li Zhe, Director of the Institute of Science and Technology Systems and Management, Liu Feng, Director of the Institute of Science and Technology for Industrial Development, and Wang Shuhua, Deputy Director of the Institute of Rural and Regional Development, briefed the delegation on the implementation of China’s S&T Plan for the 12th Five-Year Plan Period and the preparation of the S&T Plan for the 13th Five-Year Plan Period, China’s national innovation system, S&T system reform and key policy orientations, strategic emerging industries, and China’s rural and regional development, respectively, and answered questions from the delegation.

During the Q&A session, the French representatives and CASTED representatives had animated discussions on topics including S&T plan formation and projects, coordination between research expenditure and industrial application, smart city development, rural employment, and promotion and application of agricultural technology.