Vice premier: China to work with all parties to build a global sci-tech community

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said Wednesday that China is willing to work with all parties to build a global sci-tech community, as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) Annual Conference in Beijing.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China achieved major progress in science and technology, with its national innovation capacity significantly strengthened and its role as a key global innovation hub further enhanced.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), he said China will accelerate efforts to achieve high-level self-reliance in science and technology and advance the development of international science and technology innovation centers. Plans include expanding Beijing's innovation center to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Shanghai's to the Yangtze River Delta, while leveraging the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as another major growth engine.

Ding said concentrating efforts in these regions will help coordinate resources, strengthen policy support and foster synergy in innovation, industry and talent development, contributing to China's modernization drive.

He also put forward three proposals: building a more open and inclusive innovation network, expanding diverse international cooperation in science and technology, and promoting fair and responsible global governance in the sector.

This year's forum, themed "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation" brought together around 1,000 participants, including scientists, business leaders, government officials and representatives of international organizations.