Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory letter to the First Conference of the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

Xi said that the conference, co-hosted by the government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and BFA, will serve as a vital platform for global exchange and cooperation on science, technology and innovation. He said the ongoing new round of scientific and technological revolution has brought profound changes to the world, providing a new path for coping with problems and challenges of global development.

The president said he hopes the conference will pool thoughts and collective wisdom, enhance consensus and promote cooperation, so that scientific and technological innovation can benefit people around the world. He stressed that science and technology should benefit all mankind.

While the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic and other various challenges, Xi said China is willing to strengthen cooperation on science, technology and innovation with other countries, facilitating more open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international exchanges in the area. In this way, China can contribute to promoting global economic recovery and safeguarding people's health, he said.