China and African Partners Convene 2026 Innovation Forum

China News Service reported that the 2026 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum opened in Wuhan, Hubei, according to information released by China's Ministry of Science and Technology. Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun addressed the keynote forum, stating that scientific and technological innovation is an essential component of China-Africa relations and a necessary path toward modernization. The forum focused on five primary areas comprising industry, education, people-to-people exchanges, digital intelligence, and livelihood. It launched the China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership Plan Enhancement Action (2026-2030), hosted seven themed activities alongside an overseas promotion event, and released reports regarding poverty alleviation technologies and typical artificial intelligence applications for African countries. During the forum, Yin Hejun met with Albano Ferreira, Angola's Minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening science, technology, and innovation cooperation. Yin also conducted a bilateral meeting with Rigobert Maboundou, the Minister of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation of the Republic of the Congo. Additionally, Chinese Vice Minister of Science and Technology Zhang Guangjun met with South Africa's Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina and Egyptian Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority Chairman Walaa Sheta, while also attending the closing ceremony of the fifth China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.