Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the four-day 2019 World Laureates Forum, which opened Tuesday in Shanghai.

Xi said China is willing to work together with countries around the world to strengthen scientific research, promote scientific and technological progress and meet the challenges of our time. 

The Chinese leader said that China attaches great importance to the development of frontier areas of science and technology, and the country will strengthen international scientific and technological exchanges with a more open attitude. 

Referring to the forum's theme of "technology, for the common destiny of mankind," Xi said he hoped the participants would promote basic science, advocate international cooperation, support youth growth and make contributions toward creating a better future for mankind.

Held from October 29 to November 1, the event gathers world's "best brains," including 44 Nobel Prize laureates, 21 other world-class award winners and more than 100 young scientists and academics from around the globe to discuss the relationship between the development of science and the destiny of mankind, and the future limits of technology. 

(Top image via VCG)