MORE than 500 delegates from 45 countries and regions gathered in Shanghai for the 2025 Pujiang Innovation Forum, engaging in intensive discussions about global scientific cooperation and innovation over the three‑day event that began Saturday.

The forum, jointly organized by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the Shanghai Municipal Government, named Belarus as the guest country of honor and Liaoning as the guest‑of‑honor province.

More than 30 specialized forums and closed‑door sessions explored cutting‑edge topics including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum intelligence and controlled nuclear fusion, with world‑renowned scientists in attendance, among them Nobel and Wolf Prize laureates.

“The Chinese Government places high priority on scientific and technological innovation,” Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said in his opening address. He outlined China’s vision for international collaboration, saying the country will strengthen bilateral and multilateral governmental and civil scientific exchanges, deepen innovation cooperation with Belt and Road partners, and accelerate the implementation of international big‑science programs and projects.

Sergei Shlychkov, chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology of Belarus, highlighted his country’s dedication to innovation. “Belarus has made innovation a national policy priority, promoting international scientific and technological cooperation and improving the overall efficiency of the national innovation system,” he said.

The forum’s InnoMatch tech‑matching fair emerged as a vital platform connecting enterprises with research teams. This year’s fair published 10,000 technology requirements from around the world and attracted over 20 billion yuan (US$2.8 billion) in investment commitments. In addition, it introduced 2,000 talent recruitment positions and showcased more than 80 frontier products and experience scenarios, providing wide exposure for emerging technologies.

The WeStart investment conference, another key component of the forum, drew 1,487 teams specializing in biomedicine, integrated circuits, AI and future industries, including 71 international projects. One hundred outstanding projects were selected for demonstration, bringing together more than 100 venture capital institutions and a range of financial entities for targeted investment matchmaking.(SD-Agencies)