Technological achievements cannot remain mere prototypes in the lab—they must find their way to the production line to truly become new quality productive forces. The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum, which opened in Beijing on March 25, has brought together thousands of participants from over 100 countries and regions to focus on translating scientific and technological innovations into industrial outcomes.

Themed "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation," this year's edition has five main segments: plenary sessions, achievement releases, technology trade, a frontier competition, and supporting events. The more than 100 sessions extend beyond the venue, and from academic exchanges to capital matchmaking.

Driving technology commercialization

Lin Xin, China's vice minister of science and technology, said at a pre-conference press briefing that the agenda mirrors the latest global technological trends. The discussions will center around the integration of cutting-edge fields such as 6G communications, brain-computer interfaces, and cell and gene therapies with future industries.

Technology trading, which serves as a crucial bridge connecting technological innovation with industrial advancement, has long been a cornerstone of the forum. This year, the technology trading segment has over 20 targeted matchmaking events, with the number of registered investment institutions hitting a record high. More than 500 high-quality domestic and international tech projects will hold on-site roadshows and presentations.

China's top scientific achievements in 2025

The opening ceremony presented "China’s Top 10 Scientific Advances of 2025," spanning a wide range of fields, including physics, life sciences, energy materials, Earth sciences, and information technology.

They included the discoveries made possible from samples brought by the Chang'e-6 mission, revealing the evolutionary history of the moon’s far side and the effects of giant impacts on it for the first time. Another innovation is a scalable method for producing flexible ultraflat diamond films, a material with promising applications across multiple industries.

International cooperation takes center stage

The "Action Plan for International Cooperation in Open Science" released at the forum shows China's commitment to open international collaboration in science and technology. The plan outlines mechanisms for the global sharing of 10 major scientific research infrastructures, aiming to foster cross-border collaborative innovation.

Beijing, a hub of national strategic scientific endeavors, is positioning itself as a global center for scientific innovation, transforming large-scale research facilities from domestic use to international openness. Several critical national scientific instruments are now included in the action plan, contributing to the capital’s efforts to advance global scientific cooperation.

Maximizing the value of technology

The true value of scientific achievements lies in their application. In his opening address, Benoît Dubuis, president of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences, emphasized the timeliness of the forum's theme, noting that technology's real impact comes from its translation into practical solutions.

He said Chinese companies and their international counterparts, along with investors, are engaging in global collaboration, while researchers are advancing technology and product development through platforms such as systems integration labs.

Jia Yiwei, deputy general manager of the Zhongguancun Development Group, said this year, the forum is working with eight partners and over 60 member institutions to build an ecosystem for technological exchange and cooperation.

The forum has brought together global companies and high-growth technology firms—including AstraZeneca, Kunlun Tech, Sugon, and Moonshot AI—through dedicated corporate sessions and networking events, fostering a diverse and collaborative environment for technological exchange.

Dimitar Tomov, an official from the Bulgarian Embassy, said the forum reflects China's leading role in the global intelligent technology revolution and hoped for sustained long-term collaboration between Bulgaria and China in science and technology to jointly drive industrial transformation.

"The forum provides an important bridge for cooperation among international science parks," said Salvatore Majorana, director of the Italian Kilometro Rosso science park. Majorana sees significant potential for collaboration between China and Europe in scientific innovation and industrial application.

Looking ahead: the future of innovation

This year's forum also features 60 parallel forums to delve into cutting-edge topics such as 6G technology, brain-machine interfaces, and advancements in cell and gene therapies. These discussions will explore the intersection of technological innovation and industrial application, laying the groundwork for the future of science and technology.

The 2026 edition is jointly organized by several Chinese government agencies, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Since its founding in 2007, it has evolved into a major international event, fostering collaboration and innovation in science and technology on a global scale.