Windy Shao

windysjf@hotmail.com

THE Guangming Science City Forum 2024 commenced at the Guangming Cloud Valley International Conference Center on Thursday, drawing professionals from science, technology, education, and industry to discuss cutting-edge technological trends.

Kuang Bing, deputy secretary-general of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, highlighted the forum’s role in uniting the scientific, educational, industrial, and financial sectors.

In a video address, Sun Dong, secretary of the Innovation, Technology, and Industry Bureau of Hong Kong, emphasized Hong Kong’s collaboration with Shenzhen to bolster the establishment of an international innovation hub within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Major achievements were unveiled during the opening ceremony, showcasing innovative outcomes and policies guiding cutting-edge technology and future industries.

Key infrastructure initiatives were launched, including the Synthetic Biology Infrastructure, Brain Science Infrastructure, and Multi-physics Instrument of China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The inauguration of two major projects — the Science and Application Research Facility for Materials and Devices for Special Environments and the Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory — is expected to boost industries like aviation, aerospace, and nuclear energy in Shenzhen and the GBA.

The Guangming District Government and the South China Agricultural University signed a collaboration framework agreement for establishing a research institute in Shenzhen.

Major scientific infrastructure inside Guangming Science City is now open to global research institutions, businesses, and individuals, and all equipment can be reserved via an online sharing platform, as announced during the opening ceremony.

Distinguished speakers addressed the forum, discussing topics ranging from quantum computing to medical science advancements.

Xue Qikun, president of the Southern University of Science and Technology, stressed the evolving demands of the current AI era. He highlighted the necessity for advancements in information processing, citing computing power and energy consumption as critical areas where quantum computing offers a promising solution.

Yan Ning, president of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and director of the Shenzhen Bay Lab, highlighted the rapid transformation of SMART and the lab in just over a year.

Fan Jianping, president of the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, discussed establishing a “Fourth Category University” in his address. The university aims to foster multi-party collaborative innovation and drive regional economic progress through initiatives like industry-campus integration and open education.

The forum is collaborating with the Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference to initiate visiting and exchange activities. This collaboration aims to deepen the integration of innovation and industrial chains.