The 2020 Pujiang Innovation Forum opened in Shanghai on Oct 22, where Premier Li Keqiang and Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic delivered speeches via video link.

Technological innovation is a sustaining driving force for the development and progress of society. Attaching great importance to technological innovation, the Chinese government has made efforts to implement an in-depth innovation-driven development strategy and promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation, which has promoted sustainable economic development and improved people's livelihoods, the Premier said.

China's endeavors in science and technology have made great progress, he noted, adding that China will always keep an open mind and be committed to promoting international scientific and technological cooperation to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results in the field.

In face of COVID-19, China strengthened cooperation with the international community by sharing scientific research data and information and making joint efforts to study prevention, control and treatment strategies, making its own contributions to the global fight against the pandemic, Premier Li said.

By coordinating economic and social development, China has even achieved economic recovery. Furthermore, efforts will be made to maintain the continuity and effectiveness of macroeconomic policies, in order to further stimulate market vitality and social creativity, he added.

China's economy is expected to achieve positive growth throughout the year, the Premier said.

China will unswervingly deepen reform and opening-up, advance the pace of streamlining administration and improving government services, and continue to create a market-oriented, law-based international business environment, the Premier said.

Technological innovation will be further harnessed to catalyze the building of a national innovation system and an innovation-driven country, Premier Li said.

At the same time, the Premier said, the nation will adhere to win-win cooperation as it integrates into the global innovation network more proactively and promotes international exchanges and collaboration over areas such as technology, talent and projects.

By jointly building innovation platforms and sharing achievements with other countries, the goal is to drive global progress in science and technology, he added.

Premier Li expressed the hope that the representatives present would play a part in allowing the general public to enjoy the benefits of technological revolution and industrial revolution.

For her part, Brnabic spoke highly of the bilateral relations, calling the Serbia-China partnership in technological innovation a true manifestation of equality and mutual benefit.

Under a comprehensive strategic partnership, Serbia is willing to work with China to enhance interconnectivity and step up digital transformation amid a digitalization push, Brnabic said.

The forum drew nearly 100 government officials, entrepreneurs, experts and scholars from China and beyond.