Technology transfer is a focus

Another endeavor is the inauguration of the China-ASEAN Platform for Satellite Remote Sensing Data Sharing and Service, which provides ASEAN countries with free access to China's remote sensing satellite and enables them to apply the data for purposes of environmental monitoring, disaster control and urban management.

The Beidou-based location service and demonstration application is being used regionwide, while negotiation on further joint research with the National University of Singapore is being conducted.

The third move includes building up the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center, which assists in technology matching, applicable technology training and demonstration.

According to Wan, 11 Chinese and 17 ASEAN technology transfer institutions have joined the network, aiming to advance the integration of regional innovation.

A final means is the enrolment of outstanding ASEAN scientists to work in China's leading universities, research centers and enterprises. Under the program, fellows younger than 45 from ASEAN member nations work for a period from six months to one year. So far, 200 such positions have been provided.

China is active in promoting international cooperation on science and technology, signing a total of 104 intergovernmental cooperative agreements with 154 countries.

China's expenditures on research and development surpassed 1 trillion yuan ($163.4 billion) in 2012, claiming 1.97 percent of the gross domestic product.

China's full-time R&D personnel reached 3.2 million, with gross scientific output topping 10 trillion yuan.

It will be a great step forward if China and ASEAN can form an effective coordination mechanism on policymaking in high-tech areas, said Chae Sieng Hong, a senior official of the ministry of industry, mines and energy of Cambodia.

"I look forward to seeing substantial achievements made under the technology transfer framework, and in the case of Cambodia, in the food processing industry," he said.