Editor’s note:

Shenzhen is composed of nine administrative districts, one new area, and the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone in Shanwei. While all 11 areas share Shenzhen’s defining spirit of innovation, each has its own unique characteristics. This page focuses on the latest developments in Nanshan District, located in southwest Shenzhen on the east bank of the Pearl River Delta. Widely recognized as an economic, scientific, and technological powerhouse of both Shenzhen and China, the district is celebrated for its vibrant culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. It also offers an excellent business environment, stunning natural landscapes, and an international atmosphere.

HOSTED by the Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes around X-Lake Sciensity (X9 Alliance) and organized by the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, the 2024 X-Lake Forum opened in Shenzhen on Nov. 15.

Building on its long-standing theme of “Innovation and Sustainable Development,” this year’s forum adopted the annual theme of “AI Empowering Future Cities and New Quality Productive Forces.” The discussions focused on cutting-edge academic research, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with fields like life and health, advanced materials, and aerospace technologies.

The event drew a diverse group of participants to Nanshan, including scholars, academicians, experts, industry leaders, university representatives, and business figures from around the world, to explore technological trends and drive innovation.

Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, declaring the forum open.

Zeng Rong, vice president of Tsinghua University, highlighted the university’s efforts in advancing AI research and education and emphasized that Tsinghua University will further deepen its AI cooperation with Shenzhen.

The X-Lake Forum is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, and the Guangdong Provincial Government to develop X-Lake Sciensity. Now in its third edition, the forum has gained international recognition and reflects the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s spirit of integration and innovation.

This year’s forum included an opening ceremony and main forum, 29 professional forums across various AI-related fields, and four supporting activities. It also introduced the “Open Day” initiative, which saw key laboratories and major scientific infrastructure open their doors to the public.

The “X-Lake Forum Academic Month,” an event associated with the forum, is set to run until the end of November at the University Town of Shenzhen.(Zhang Yu)