BRICS+ innovation programme underscores SA’s deepening technology and trade ties with China

Applications have officially opened for the 2026 BRICS+ Science and Technology Park Training Program, a China-hosted initiative aimed at strengthening science, technology and innovation (STI) park governance and accelerating cross-border innovation cooperation among BRICS member states and partner countries.

For the SA Trade Desk, a news-led publication focused on South Africa’s import-export ecosystem and its strategic trade relationships, the programme highlights the growing importance of innovation-driven collaboration between South Africa and key partners such as China and India—relationships that increasingly extend beyond traditional goods trade into technology, skills development and industrial cooperation.

The 15-day programme, scheduled to run from 3 to 17 June 2026, will take place in Beijing and Kunming, with potential sessions in Xiamen. It is organised by the Beijing International Exchange Association (BIEA), with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, and will accommodate 20 participants from BRICS countries and partner economies.

The Beijing International Exchange Association is a China-based organisation that facilitates international cooperation across science, technology, education and innovation ecosystems. It plays a key role in connecting government bodies, science parks, research institutions and enterprises, with a particular focus on enabling structured knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration between China and emerging markets.

The programme’s focus on STI park governance is especially relevant for South Africa, where innovation hubs and science parks are increasingly seen as enablers of export-led growth, industrialisation and technology transfer. South Africa’s Innovation Hub, based in Gauteng, is a flagship example. As a provincially supported innovation ecosystem, the Innovation Hub works to commercialise research, support technology-driven enterprises and attract investment into high-growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, green energy and life sciences. Its role aligns closely with BRICS objectives of fostering innovation-led development and strengthening cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders.

Participation in programmes such as the BRICS+ Science and Technology Park Training Program provides South African innovation leaders and policymakers with exposure to international best practice in park governance, funding models and cross-border collaboration – capabilities that ultimately support export competitiveness and deeper trade integration.

As global trade becomes increasingly shaped by technology, innovation and knowledge exchange, initiatives like this reinforce the strategic importance of South Africa’s relationships with China, India and other BRICS partners, and their potential to unlock long-term value across the country’s import-export and industrial landscape.

Further information on the programme is available via Info@bjiea.com.