South Africa's scientific and technological capabilities will this week come under the international spotlight when it participates as Country of Honour at the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China.

Led by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, the delegation of South African scientists, innovators and researchers will join their global counterparts from 11 to 14 September to discuss emerging technologies and deepen international cooperation.

Among other things, the delegation is expected to articulate Africa's science, technology and innovation (ST&I) agenda as articulated in the African Union's STI Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034).

The country's participation in the forum also marks 28 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China.

In March 2026, the two nations convened the 9th Bi-National Commission in South Africa during the working visit by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. The commission was hosted under the theme, "South Africa-China Relations in an Era of Global Transformation: Advancing Shared Modernisation" with the aim of strengthening partnerships and cooperation to respond to the changing global environment, while advancing inclusive growth, industrial development and technological progress.

"As the first African country to be designated country of honour, we also view our participation in the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum as a unique opportunity to advance Africa's ST&I agenda as articulated in STISA 2034," says the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in a programme presentation document.

The Minister and his delegation will engage in site visits and bilateral meetings across various locations in the city, where they will explore topics ranging from climate change and sustainability; health innovation and biotechnology; and space science and astronomy.

The visit will also seek to strengthen ST&I cooperation between the two countries, drawing on the DSTI's Decadal Plan priorities. The delegation will also promote research, technology transfer and investment partnerships as well as position internationalisation of the national system of innovation and South Africa as a gateway to African innovation ecosystems.

Participating institutions include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Technology Innovation Agency, South African National Space Agency, National Research Foundation, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, Agricultural Research Council and several universities.

Engagements on AI and digital innovation; green hydrogen and the energy transition; advanced manufacturing and mining innovation; oceans and polar research; as well as public science engagements are also on the agenda.

Some of the Chinese companies expected to be part of the forum include AI company MiniMax Group, Shanghai Yuanxin Satellite Technology Company and Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tech Company.

A dedicated South African pavilion will present locally developed technologies aimed at addressing social, environmental and economic challenges. Exhibits are expected to include climate-intelligence tools for farmers, hydrogen technologies, earth-observation applications, climate-smart mushroom farming and assistive technology for people with visual impairments.

Other displays will highlight smart energy-data management for municipalities, indigenous medicine research, radio astronomy, sustainable farming, wildfire disaster-management technology and marine and environmental observation.