杭州市科学技术协会

The 5th World Science and Technology Development Forum, bringing together nearly 200 eminent figures such as Nobel laureates, renowned professors, and experts from over 20 countries and regions, is taking place in Shenzhen.

The four-day event consisted of 1 main forum and 11 parallel forums, with the main forum being held at Wuzhou Guest House in Futian District.

At the main forum, Thomas Südhof, a German-American biochemist who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; Thomas J. Sargent, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Economics; Chen Qingquan, honorary professor at The University of Hong Kong; Bai Chunli, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Ling Wen, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered speeches.

Various parallel forums were held during the event, covering topics such as future industries, female scientists, frontier technology, low-altitude economy, and innovation and development in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.

At the Women Scientists Forum, Laura Haasink, managing director for STM (scientific, technical and medical) Journals under Elsevier, recognized the outstanding quality of science in Shenzhen and commended the dedication and contributions of both male and female researchers. Elsevier is one of the largest publisher of scholarly journals in the world, based in the Netherlands.

Shenzhen has witnessed a significant growth in scientific researchers, with its number increasing from 18,300 in 2018 to 54,500 in 2022, according to her.

She also highlighted that 6.3% of Shenzhen researchers’ academic output is published in the top 1% of influential publications worldwide, securing the city’s top ranking in China in this regard.

Yan Nieng, a newly selected academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared her perspective on scientific research at the forum, talking about her aspirations.

“Rewards and honors cannot change who you are. As a scientist, we should aspire for leaving a lasting legacy in science and making contributions to society,” Yan said.

The inaugural World Science and Technology Development Forum was held in Beijing in 2019. This year marks the first time the forum is held in Shenzhen, following editions in Beijing and Chengdu.