BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang highlighted the value of Sino-US collaborations in science and technology at this year's annual Government Appreciation Dinner, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China (AmCham China). The theme of this year's event was "Open and Inclusive Innovation."

Minister Wan, speaking before some 600 attendees, including US Ambassador to China Gary Locke, said US companies could tap new market opportunities by helping China advance toward national science and technology goals.

Of the Fortune 500 companies, he said, 470 have already set up R&D centers in China. In 2010, foreign companies invested 104.8 billion renminbi in R&D, a ten-fold increase over the past decade.

Noting that China has steadily increased its investment in education, he said: "I hope R&D centers can take full advantage of China's highly-educated talent and its R&D infrastructure to continue to develop the nation's innovation capacity," he said.

Minister Wan also pointed to the lengthy Sino-US history of collaborations in science and technology. Over the past thirty years, he noted, the US and China have carried out effective and successful cooperation in sectors including energy, agriculture, environmental protection, sanitation, meteorology, and nuclear safety.

AmCham China Chairman Ted Dean, in his remarks, drew attention to China's immense potential for innovation. If the US and China "work together openly and inclusively, both countries gain from new products, new cures, and new businesses created in China and in the United States."

Over 120 top Chinese officials attended the dinner, held to show appreciation for the government's support of US companies in China. Attendees included Chinese government leaders from the central, provincial and municipal levels, business leaders from AmCham China member companies, US Embassy officials, and reporters.

The following special guests were in attendance: Cui Tiankai, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wang Chao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce; and Gu Chaoxi, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs.

About the American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China:
AmCham China is a national non-profit organization representing the interests of over 1,000 companies and 3,500 individuals doing business throughout China. Headquartered in Beijing, it has chapters in Tianjin, Northeast China (Dalian) and Central China (Wuhan). For more information, visit: www.amchamchina.org

SOURCE American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China