China invites foreign scientists for help in technology push

BEIJING: China has invited foreign scientists to help in realising the 'Chinese Dream' of advanced science and technology amid a slowdown in the manufacturing sector of the world's second-largest economy.

Chinese vice premier Liu Yandong extended the invitation yesterday in Bejing during an annual ceremony to honour their excellence and research.

Liu met the group of scientists, which won the International Cooperation Award, and presented certificates and thanked them for their contributions to China's progress.

Since 1995, China has given the International Cooperation Award in Science and Technology to a total of 94 foreign scientists and two international organisations.

The recipients, including seven scientists and one organisation, were from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, the United States, and the Netherlands.

Liu also met other award winners and encouraged them to strive for innovation and make new contributions for the realisation of the 'Chinese Dream', state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

China's manufacturing sector growth has slowed in recent months, suggesting the world's second-largest economy is still losing momentum and adding pressure on authorities to ramp up stimulus measures.

Analysts believe the growth in the sector is likely to lose sheen further in coming months.