2024 Tengchong Scientists Forum Report: “Science, Global Innovation and Scientists’ Mission – Science and Technology Empowering High-Quality Development”
Date: December 6, 2024
Location: Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China
Hosts: Yunnan Provincial People’s Government & China Association for Science and Technology
Theme: Science, Global Innovation, and Scientists’ Mission – Science and Technology Empowering High-Quality Development
The 2024 Tengchong Scientists Forum, which opened on December 6, 2024, brought together a global community of leading scientists, academicians, entrepreneurs, and government officials to discuss cutting-edge advancements in science and technology. The forum was held under the theme “Science, Global Innovation and Scientists’ Mission – Science and Technology Empowering High-Quality Development”, and was organized as a platform to explore scientific progress and foster collaboration between China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Key Highlights of the Forum:
1. Opening Ceremony and Speeches:
- The forum officially opened with speeches from prominent figures such as Wang Ning, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Wang Yubo, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Yunnan. Luo Hui, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the China Association for Science and Technology, also delivered a speech.
- Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Academician Ding Zhongli, delivered a video speech, highlighting the vital role of science and technology in promoting national development and regional collaboration.
- Academician Gu Binglin, Chairman of the Tengchong Scientists Forum, and Academician Rao Zihe, Co-Chairman, awarded the 2nd Tengchong Science Award to Xue Qikun, a professor at Tsinghua University, and Xie Xiaoliang, Director of Changping Laboratory at Peking University, for their significant contributions to scientific research.
2. Major Announcements:
- Launch of Two Major Funds:
- Tengchong Scientists Forum Development Fund (RMB 5 billion): This fund aims to support early-stage investments in science, technology, and innovation, accelerating research and development (R&D) and the transformation of scientific achievements in Yunnan Province.
- Yunnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Development Fund (RMB 10 billion): The focus of this fund is to invest in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry, particularly in the development of the TCM industry chain and health enterprises in the region. This initiative is expected to promote high-quality development in the traditional Chinese medicine sector in Yunnan.
3. Global Participation and Dialogue:
- The forum saw participation from over 1,000 guests, including Nobel Prize laureates such as George Smoot (Physics Nobel Laureate), 120 academicians, 59 university presidents, 300+ young experts and scholars, and 600+ entrepreneurs.
- George Smoot remarked that science is a beacon of human progress and emphasized the importance of forums like Tengchong in fostering international collaboration among scientists. He highlighted the importance of transcending national boundaries to contribute to global scientific development through open minds, innovative thinking, and perseverance.
4. Talent Recruitment and Investment Promotion:
- Over 170 talent recruitment projects were facilitated by the forum, attracting over 360 high-level talents to Yunnan. The forum has become a key event for attracting top-tier scientific talent to China, particularly in fields such as biotechnology, engineering, and environmental sciences.
- Additionally, more than 600 investment projects were discussed, with a total investment agreement amounting to over RMB 70 billion. These agreements are expected to boost economic development in Yunnan and foster the commercialization of innovative technologies.
5. Strategic Partnerships and Cooperation Agreements:
- Strategic Cooperation with Leading Universities: The Yunnan Provincial Government signed multiple high-level cooperation agreements with universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University. These agreements focus on improving the quality of graduate education and research collaboration in fields such as transportation and new materials.
- The agreement with Shandong University focuses on the construction of the Yunnan Research Institute, which will address key scientific challenges and support major national projects.
- A collaboration with the Southern University of Science and Technology aims to build the Yunnan Advanced Research Institute, focusing on core technology research and fostering R&D in the region.
6. Achievements in Talent Introduction and Investment:
- Over the past three years, the Tengchong Scientists Forum has become a leading platform for talent introduction and investment promotion. By 2024, the forum had successfully facilitated 496 talent recruitment projects, introducing over 1,200 high-level professionals to the region.
- The forum has also helped promote 780 investment projects, with a total agreement amounting to over RMB 190 billion. This makes it a central hub for scientific exchange, technology commercialization, and regional economic development.
7. Forum Structure and Format:
- The forum was organized in a “main forum + sub-forum + series of activities” model, which included a range of topics such as global innovation, science and technology empowerment, sustainable development, and scientific collaboration. These activities aimed at facilitating deeper cooperation between academia, industry, and government.
- The forum has successfully established itself as a bridge for communication among scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, and financiers, creating opportunities for the application of scientific achievements in real-world industries.
8. Yunnan’s Role in Global Science and Technology:
- The forum plays a pivotal role in positioning Yunnan Province as a leader in high-quality development. Leveraging the forum’s global network, the provincial government is working to drive regional scientific and technological innovation.
- Yunnan is set to capitalize on its strengths in areas like traditional Chinese medicine, clean energy, and environmental sciences, which align well with the forum’s goals of fostering sustainable development and regional cooperation in science and technology.
Conclusion:
The 2024 Tengchong Scientists Forum was a highly successful event that not only showcased the achievements and potential of the global scientific community but also highlighted the growing role of China, particularly Yunnan Province, in fostering high-quality development through science and technology. The strong focus on talent recruitment, investment promotion, and international cooperation set the stage for future collaborations between China, India, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. With its robust funding initiatives, strategic partnerships, and commitment to research and development, the forum is poised to continue contributing to global scientific progress and technological advancement.