The 2024 ZGC Forum Annual Conference kicked off in Beijing on April 25. Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council attended the opening ceremony and delivered an address.

Ding emphasized that innovation is the primary driving force for development. As stated by President Xi Jinping, developing new quality productive forces is an essential requirement and a critical focus for high-quality development, hence priority should be given to innovation. To this end, China has implemented the strategy of innovation-driven development, propelling breakthroughs in technological innovation and fostering new industries, new business models, and new growth drivers, which have become the highlights of socio-economic progress. Greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology will remain a strategic pillar of national development. We will accelerate to enhance the new system of pooling national resources and strengths, the sci-tech innovation system, and the country's strategic sci-tech strength. We will also concentrate on basic research and technological breakthroughs, and push forward the research, development, and application of cutting-edge and disruptive technologies, thus reinforcing technological support for high-quality development. As Zhongguancun plays a vital role in achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and building Beijing into an international innovation center, it is necessary to further the pilot reforms and move faster towards building a world-class science park.

Ding stated that China is ready to work with the international community in building a global community of science and technology in line with the cooperation philosophy of openness, fairness, justice, and non-discrimination. Joint efforts will be made in the following aspects. First, fostering an open innovation ecosystem. Committed to genuine multilateralism, we will promote equal participation of countries and research institutions in international cooperation by exploring new models for mutually beneficial cooperation in global sci-tech innovation and removing barriers to the flow of innovation resources, including knowledge, technology, and talent. Second, nurturing and developing new quality productive forces. To facilitate the reciprocal sharing of innovation results, we will expand cooperation in such areas as artificial intelligence, life sciences, green energy, and advanced manufacturing. There will also be stronger global cooperation in the digital economy to boost the growth of emerging and future-oriented industries in various countries. Third, addressing substantial technological challenges. In response to global challenges such as climate change, environmental protection, energy security, and food security, it is imperative to intensify in-depth collaboration and joint scientific research, advance international big science research plans and projects, and encourage researchers from all over the world to jointly overcome problems in basic and frontier technologies.

After the opening ceremony, Ding visited the permanent exhibition at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center and engaged in discussions with the researchers.

Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, also attended the forum. In his speech, he highlighted that Beijing's abundant resources in education, technology and talent make it one of the most dynamic innovation hubs globally. In implementing the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on sci-tech innovation, we will intensify efforts in basic research and major breakthroughs in core technologies in key areas, empower development with innovation, and cultivate new quality productive forces. We will integrate into the global innovation network, conduct joint research on global issues, and open up scientific research facilities and platforms to the world. With a robust innovation ecosystem and talent services, Beijing will move faster toward building a big pool of high-caliber talent.

The theme of the 2024 ZGC Forum Annual Conference is "Innovating for a Better World". The opening ceremony has gathered around 1,000 participants including Chinese and foreign researchers, business leaders, government officials, and representatives from international organizations