Insights | Experts gather in ZGC Forum for a technology-driven future

By Chen Tianhao

(ECNS) -- The 2025 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) is being held in Beijing from March 27 to 31, themed "New Quality Productive Forces and Global Technology Cooperation". Scholars, experts, and representatives from academia and industry all gather in the “Chinese Silicon Valley” to discuss the future development of advanced technologies and cross-border technological cooperation.

During the ZGC Forum, innovative technologies and smart products are on display, including robots that can write, paint, make coffee, and even come up to interact with people, which makes Simon Redfern, dean of the College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, pretty surprised. “It's very interesting because we see these autonomous people or dogs. People can connect with them,” he said.

During a sub-forum, Scientific Advisor to the President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly Johannes Cullmann told China News Network that it is super interesting to see how to create more catalyzers for international cooperation on digital sciences, which are one of the key boosts for sustainable development.

Prof. Shahbaz Khan, director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, also noted that the ZGC Forum not only focuses on technological innovation, but also on promoting technology transfer and empowering the Global South. He stressed that everyone should “cross borders to bring the power of science, technology and innovation where it is needed most”, which matches the realization of the United Nations sustainable development goals.

In the next few days, the ZGC Forum will keep focus on topics including AI governance, digital economy, and industrial upgrade. This is not only a forum that presents advanced technologies, but a platform for global technological cooperation.