On the afternoon of Sept 22, 2021, the 1^st China-CEEC Forum for Young Science& Technology Talents (hereinafter referred to as the forum) was successfully held in Ningbo, Zhejiang. The forum was proposed by President Xi Jinping at the China-CEEC Summit on Feb 9, 2021. It is a part of the 5^th China-CEEC Conference on Innovation Cooperation. As one of the main organizers, the China-CEEC STI Research Center participated in the entire organization process of the forum.

            The Forum was chaired by Chen Linhao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation (Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs) of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China. Huang Wei, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Mariana Sokovic, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Serbia, Lu Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, Qiu Dongyao, Mayor of Ningbo and other leaders addressed the forum. Nearly 200 leaders, experts and scholars from government departments, universities, scientific research institutions and enterprises in China and CEE countries participated in the forum online and offline.

      The theme of the Forum is "Innovative Youth Share the Future". Li Xin, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Expert Services of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Damir Boras, Rector of the University of Zagreb, Croatia,  Janusz Lipkowski, Full Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences , Chen Wenxing, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Radovan Stanislav Pejovnik, Procurator of the Slovenian Innovation Hub, Professor ?ubica Lacinová, Member of the Scientific board of Slovak Academy of Sciences, and Zheng Min, Vice President of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University and Deputy Director of the State Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, gave wonderful keynote speeches on the two main topics of “Exchange and Cooperation Among Young Science & Technology Talents”, and “Science& Technology Innovation Helping to Fight Against COVID-19".

The successful forum has further strengthened the consensus on the development of young science and technology talents between China and CEE countries. It has gathered momentum for building a solid cornerstone of friendship, strengthening cooperation ties, and deepening innovation cooperation. It has also become a driving force for China-CEEC innovation cooperation.