On the morning of April 25, the 2024 ZGC Forum Annual Conference Plenary Session kicked off. He Junke, Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group, Vice President in charge of daily work, and Chief Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST); Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing; Wei Xiaodong, Chairman of the CPPCC Beijing Municipal Committee; and Liu Wei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, were present.

Keynote speeches by Chinese and foreign guests

The plenary session featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Aaron Ciechanover, Laureate of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nieng Yan, Founding President of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research & Translation (SMART); Stephen Perry, Honorary President of The 48 Group Club; Lei Jun, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi; and Piero Scaruffi, President of Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (SVAIRI). Centered around the theme of innovation and development, they delivered speeches on how cutting-edge technological innovations can empower a better world, exploring the dark matter of life for improved health, and the potential of science and technology in promoting global innovation cooperation. They also touched upon how innovative technologies can lead to enhanced living standards and how new quality productive forces can drive high-quality growth, and the future of artificial intelligence.

ZGC Forum is a national-level platform for global exchange and cooperation in technological innovation, with a successful history of 14 editions. Themed "Innovating for a Better World", the 2024 ZGC Forum Annual Conference is co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the China Association for Science and Technology and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality. It comprises five sections, including forums and meetings, technology trading, results release, cutting-edge competitions, and supporting events. A total of 128 activities will be held, and over ten Nobel laureate scientists, hundreds of top experts, and thousands of speakers will share their valuable insights.

Heads of relevant ministries of the Central Government and Beijing Municipality, delegations from relevant provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, foreign dignitaries, diplomatic envoys, heads of international scientific and technological organizations, Chinese and foreign experts and scholars, heads of enterprises and representatives of institutions, among others, attended the event.

(Written by Yang Qi)