Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Hunan-UK Future Innovation Summit: Cooperation on Innovation Leads to a Bright Future

Second, both Hunan and the UK have taken the lead in innovation.

In recent years, Hunan has taken great efforts to encourage innovation in industrial development. It is the birthplace of many high-tech, innovative products that count as the "world's No.1". These include:

· Tianhe-1, the world's fastest supercomputer,

· the world's fastest electric train traction system,

· the world's longest concrete pump,

· the world's strongest crawler crane,

· and the world's most powerful six-axle electric locomotive.

The British Government attaches great importance to science and innovation, and puts them at the core of its planning for long-term economic growth.

· According to statistics, Britain has taken the lead among developed countries in the number of research results by universities and institutions.

· It ranks the third in the Global Innovation Index 2018 Report released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

· And its strength in innovation was further displayed to the world at the British Pavilion, which themed on "Innovation is GREAT", at the first China International Import Expo held in Shanghai last November.

Third, both Hunan and the UK are good partners for cooperation.

The two sides have engaged in extensive and in-depth cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, science and technology. In 2018, trade between Hunan and the UK reached $680 million. By the end of 2018, Hunan was home to $220 million paid-in investment and $130 million contract investment from the UK.

I am pleased to see that a growing number of companies from Hunan are exploring opportunities to carry out more cooperation with the UK on science, technology and innovation.

· CRRC Zhuzhou Institute has established R&D centres for semiconductor and electric drive technology in the UK.

· Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Corporation is working with Garrad Hassan and Partners Ltd. on the development of above-2 Mega-Watt Direct Drive Turbines for Low-speed Wind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Looking forward, I am full of expectations for China-UK and Hunan-UK cooperation on innovation. May I share with you three suggestions for further cooperation.

First, make overall planning and match development strategies.

At the end of 2017, China and the UK signed the Joint Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation. This serves as a blueprint for our two countries to deepen cooperation on innovation.

With the guidance of this blueprint, our two countries can tap into the synergy between our national development strategies, such as China's innovation-driven development strategy and "Made in China 2025" and the UK's Industrial Strategy and its innovation and research strategy for growth. This will enable us to enhance top-level design for our cooperation on innovation.

At the same time, we can fully leverage our existing bilateral platforms and resources to implement our strategic plans. These platforms and resources include:

· the Joint Commission on Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation,

· the Research and Innovation Partnership Fund,

· the Flagship Challenge Programme,

· and the Innovation Industrial Park.

Second, explore new ways and deepen industrial cooperation.

To achieve the goals of its industrial development strategy, the UK is promoting innovation and international cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, health care, elderly care, green growth and cultural and creative industries.

Hunan has a sound industrial basis and complete industrial categories, eleven of which are valued at 10 million RMB yuan. Traditional industries such as engineering machinery and rail transport are making steady progress. At the same time, emerging industries such as cultural and creative industries, telecommunications, e-commerce and service outsourcing are also growing rapidly.

Hunan and the UK can work together to identify priority areas and key projects for cooperation according to each side's development need and industrial advantages. Possible areas for further cooperation include green manufacturing, environmental protection, medical information services, high-end equipment manufacturing and higher education.

Third, enhance people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation.

The fundamental driving force for China-UK cooperation on innovation is in our provinces and among our people.

Last October, Hunan Province and Lincolnshire established sister relationship. This creates opportunities for the two sides to share experience and explore cooperation on urban development, upgrading, regeneration and sustainable urbanization with a view to building green, smart and inclusive cities for the future.

I encourage Hunan to enhance communication and cooperation with other regions in the UK as well to enhance connectivity and inter-connected development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Zhou Dunyi, a Chinese philosopher who lived in Hunan a thousand years ago, said that knowing the trend of the times leads to success. In today's world, innovation is the way to development, and cooperation can lead to win-win results. This is the irreversible trend.

I am confident that as long as China and the UK continue to forge ahead and work together on innovation, we can deliver more tangible benefits to our people, and embrace a brighter future for the China-UK "Golden Era"!

In conclusion, I would like to wish the Hunan-UK Future Innovation Summit a great success!

Thank you!