Chinese diplomatic delegation headed by the Embassy's Economic Advisor Ms. Li Jing, visited the Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production
Chinese diplomatic delegation headed by the Embassy's Economic AdvisorMs. Li Jing, visited the Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production
The Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production in Beirut received a delegation from the Chinese Embassy, accompanied by the President of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association, Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah. The delegation included the Economic Counselor at the Chinese Embassy, Li Jing, the Secretary of the Economic and Commercial Section, Wang Gang, and the official at the same section, Hu Qiqi. They were welcomed by the President of the Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production, Dr. Amin Al Sahili, along with advisors Dr. Dawoud Noufal, Dr. Wissam Khalil, and Engineer Ali Chimi .
During the visit, the Chinese delegation was briefed on the activities of the center and its goals aimed at developing Lebanese production. The Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production exerts great efforts to help transform Lebanon’s economy into a productive one that reduces dependence on imports and focuses on establishing industries that ensure food security. The center also works to support farmers and strengthen their resilience by utilizing research based on innovative ideas that contribute to the creation and development of startups, in cooperation with academic, economic, and investment institutions.
Economic Counselor Li Jing expressed her admiration for the center’s activities, stating that China has achieved global leadership in industry and knowledge by focusing on research, studies, and supporting innovation over past decades. She emphasized that China today is one of the leading countries supporting creators and innovators and has achieved an international position in patents thanks to its policies centered on innovation, knowledge, science, and technology. She concluded:
“We look forward to strengthening industrial cooperation with Lebanon, especially with specialized centers dedicated to supporting knowledge and innovation.”
For his part, Dr. Amin Al Sahili, President of the Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production, said:
“This meeting with the Chinese delegation is of exceptional importance. We deeply value such encounters, especially since China is an international reference in science and industry. The meeting also provides an opportunity to discuss several issues, particularly since one of our main goals at the center is to transform ideas into successful products. China is a giant of knowledge and production, and we look forward to building successful working relations with its specialized centers in industry, production, and knowledge.”
Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah, President of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association, stated:
“Lebanon is going through an extremely difficult economic crisis and needs a series of bold steps to overcome its challenges. The most important step is to focus on innovation and knowledge to create and provide products and services of real value for export. It is no secret that qualitative production based on science and knowledge is the only path toward achieving the freedom and sovereignty of nations. Without innovative industries, we cannot produce solutions that help the Lebanese endure. We are in a stage that requires new solutions and a shift in Lebanon’s economic identity from one based solely on services to a model founded on high-quality industries capable of competing in international markets. For this reason, we believe that building strong relations between the Scientific Center for Manufacturing and Production and scientific and industrial entities in China will greatly benefit Lebanese industry and support the development of Lebanese-Chinese relations.”
El Abdallah concluded:
“Thanks to its focus on science, innovation, and building a strong and resilient economic system, China managed to increase its export value from around 21 billion USD in 1980 to approximately 3.5 trillion USD in 2022, making it the world’s largest exporter today. We all know that in the 1970s, China was struggling under the weight of debt, its domestic production was modest, and it could barely find markets for its goods. Yet, within 40 years, the picture changed completely, and China achieved its historic economic miracle. Today, more than four decades after Deng Xiaoping launched economic reforms, China has transformed into an unparalleled global economic power.”