The "China-Korea Science and Technology Webinar" jointly organized by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) was successfully held on June 30, 2020. Researchers from China and Korea discussed topics including public health management and emergency public health response, coronavirus diagnostic technology and drug development, as well as clinical and epidemiological research on COVID-19. For the first time, the webinar used live webcast and was open to the public.

Professor Li Jinghai, president of NSFC , and Professor Jung-hae Roh, president of NRF , delivered congratulatory remarks via video. Professor Li pointed out that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Korea have made important contributions to the global fight against the outbreak. During the speech, he also called on the scientists to continue question-oriented research and break through inertial thinking and traditional paradigms to solve core scientific problems based on new scientific research paradigms, so as to provide scientific and technological support for emergency response to public health events in the future. Professor Roh emphasized that the convening of this webinar has far-reaching significance in promoting the joint scientific research between Chinese and Korean scientists on COVID-19, which has provided valuable insights for global cooperation in the future.

Professor Liu Yuanli from Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Huang Yanyi from Peking University, as well as Professor Zhang Wenhong, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, and three professors from Seoul National University, Korea Pasteur Institute presented informative reports. The current situation and prospects of the prevention and control of COVID-19 were also discussed. Experts generally agreed that both China and Korea have adopted effective and timely response in the screening and tracing of the coronavirus, emergency management, and drug and vaccine research and development. While the virus may stay with us for a longer period of time, both sides are willing to continue to strengthen cooperation and have the confidence to accelerate the development of rapid detection methods, treatment and vaccines. This event also set positive examples of encouraging interactions between the science communities and the public of the two countries.

Professor Yang Junlin, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation , NSFC and Professor Du Young Park, Director General of Directorate for International Affairs, NRF moderated the webinar. The webinar was supported by the Department of Medical Sciences, Department of Management Sciences, the General Office, the Information Center, and the Center for Science Communication and Achievement Transformation.