On November 21, L.I.S.T.E.N Science Space, an interactive hub to discover science past borders collectively constructed by the China Science and Technology Museum and the Sci-Bono Discovery Center of South Africa, opened to the general public, marking new progress in sci-tech cooperation between China and South Africa.
More than 100 representatives from the scientific and educational circles in addition to college students from South Africa attended the launching ceremony.
China and South Africa, each early members of BRICS, have cast a robust and profound friendship. During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation final yr, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral cooperation in such areas as public participation in science and know-how, sci-tech and cultural exchanges, mutual recognition of engineers, engineering and arithmetic training, and girls’s participation in science and know-how.
In March 2025, a delegation from CAST visited the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and each organizations signed an MoU. The interactive hub is a big step to implement this settlement.
With an space of roughly 200 sq. meters, the hub is positioned within the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, integrating scientific exhibitions, interactive experiences, and cultural exchanges. It isn’t merely a easy addition to the prevailing scientific training infrastructure of China and South Africa however an essential observe for the 2 nations to collectively promote progressive improvement of science training.
Chen Jingquan, minister counsellor on the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, stated scientific popularization and participation are the important thing methods to realize sci-tech equality. Everyone has the fitting to entry, use and revel in scientific achievements. The mission of science diplomacy is to remodel progressive achievements into the widespread wealth of all humanity and make them a driving power for sustainable improvement.
The opening coincided with South Africa internet hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The hub, integrating the knowledge of China and South Africa, is an illustration challenge for pleasant cooperation between China and Africa, and showcased the achievements of scientific and cultural exchanges to the company from numerous nations attending the summit.
In the longer term, each nations will use the platform to broaden their areas of cooperation. Through joint analysis on academic content material, establishing digital useful resource libraries, and personnel exchanges, they are going to add momentum to the China-Africa friendship and promote mutual understanding among the many individuals.
Editor：QI Liming