Heavyweight ZGC Forum opens in Beijing

Robin Li Yanhong, chairman and CEO of internet search giant Baidu, gives a speech during the 2020 ZGC Forum in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2020 ZGC Forum opened on Thursday in Beijing, gathering global leaders in science and business, along with executives of international organizations, to discuss global innovation and cooperation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

During the four-day event, leading scientists including Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners, multinational enterprises and industry leaders, will discuss topics such as global innovation cooperation, bioscience, artificial intelligence, innovation ecosystems and startup businesses.

Robin Li Yanhong, chairman and CEO of internet giant Baidu, said at the forum that China's rapid economic growth for a long time into the future will mainly depend on the efficiency brought by innovations in science and technology.

"During this process, the intelligent industry will play a vital role," he said.

Lei Jun, chief executive of Xiaomi, said that the company has invested big in technology and its investment in the scientific research this year will be more than 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion).

Because of travel restrictions during COVID-19, many overseas guests attended the event online via videoconference.

According to the organizer, the event is using the latest OLED transparent display technology to build a seamless live experience.

Fields Medal winner Efim Isaakovich Zelmanov speaks via holographic display during the ZGC Forum in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

This year's forum features a technology trade fair, both online and offline, that aims to better connect the supply and demand sides.

More than 1,000 foreign business representatives from about 30 countries and regions will attend the tech roadshows.

The Zhongguancun administrative committee and China Center for International Science and Technology Exchange have initiated an international technology trade alliance to promote cooperation.

Since late July, 103 organizations from China and 17 countries and regions, including the United States and Germany, have expressed willingness to join the alliance.

Organizers said the forum's conferences, exhibitions, transactions and releases will be available to the public via livestreaming.

The forum has been held 11 times since its founding in 2007.