South Africa to showcase innovation at Pujiang Innovation Forum in China

South Africa will showcase its growing science, technology and innovation capabilities at the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China, from Sept. 11 to 14, with Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Prof. Blade Nzimande leading the South African delegation.

South Africa has been designated country of honor by China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, placing the country at the center of one of China's leading international platforms for science and innovation cooperation.

The 2026 forum will be held under the theme "Sharing Innovation and Shaping the Future: The Mission of the Global Sci-Tech Community amid a New Round of Sci-Tech Revolution." It will bring together policymakers, researchers, innovators and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies and global challenges.

Nzimande said the designation provides South Africa with an important opportunity to showcase its scientific achievements while strengthening science, technology and innovation cooperation with China, Africa and the broader Global South.

The South African delegation will participate in ministerial and plenary discussions, thematic sessions, technology matchmaking and technology transfer engagements. A dedicated national pavilion will showcase research and innovations from South African universities, science councils, research institutions and start-ups.

Featured areas will include health innovation, space science and technology, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, mining innovation and sustainability.

Institutions represented include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Technology Innovation Agency, University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, South African Medical Research Council and South African National Space Agency.

South Africa's participation comes as bilateral relations with China continue to deepen following the elevation of ties in 2024 to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. It also coincides with the 28th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The forum is expected to create new opportunities for joint research, technology transfer, skills development and innovation partnerships between South African and Chinese institutions.

South Africa's participation underscores the growing role of science, technology and innovation in strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing shared development priorities across the Global South.