Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on Friday announced that it has set up an innovation center in Bangkok in order to promote scientific and technological cooperation between China, Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The center, named CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok), is "the first overseas organization promoting global science, technology and innovation in the scope of achievements commercialization," said Bill Jiang, director of the center, during the opening ceremony on Friday.

Zhang Jie, vice president of CAS, said the center will effectively encourage Chinese innovative enterprises to come to Southeast Asia to build an innovative China-ASEAN community.

Thailand is an ideal place for China and other regional countries to cooperate in terms of technological innovation, said Lyu Jian, Chinese ambassador to Thailand, adding that the establishment of the center signifies that China-Thailand cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has started a new journey.

Thai officials also spoke highly of the center and expected it will promote cooperation and benefit Thailand and the region.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has visited CAS for many times to help the two countries cooperate on various fields such as microbiology, rail transit, GPS technology, according to Suvit Maesincee, Thai minister of science and technology.

Suvit said the center is going to be a new platform for Thailand to share the achievements of Chinese high-tech innovation.

"I think this is a very important step for both countries to work collaboratively with each other...Today, the setting up of CAS Innovation Cooperation Center showcases our strong commitment to each other," Suvit said, adding that he expresses gratitude to China for choosing Thailand to set up the center, helping the kingdom to realize their Thailand 4.0 strategy.

Some 400 people from Thai National Legislative Assembly, Thai and Chinese universities, enterprises and other organizations attended the opening ceremony. (Xinhua)