The X-Lake Forum kicked off at Shenzhen University Town in Xili, Nanshan District, yesterday to coincide with the 24th China Hi-Tech Fair, which opened on the same day at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District and Shenzhen World Convention and Exhibition Center in Bao’an. 

Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Macao Chief Executive Ho lat-seng gave speeches via video link. 

Shenzhen Party chief Meng Fanli attended the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong.

A scene of the X-Lake Forum.

In his speech, Wang said that the forum has gained global influence and manifested the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He vowed to support the Xili Lake International Science and Education City to be built into an important platform in promoting international scientific and technological openness and cooperation.

Meng extended the guests a warm welcome and said Shenzhen will further advance in-depth integration in the chains of innovation, industries, investment and talents.

Roger Kornberg delivers a speech at the X-Lake Forum yesterday.

A number of experts and scholars from around the world gave their insights on openness and integrated development at the forum. Among them were Roger Kornberg, 2006 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry; Efim Zelmanov, 1994 Fields Medal winner and a chair professor of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech); Gao Wen, director of the Shenzhen Peng Cheng Laboratory, a research institute which aims to aid the innovative advancement of Guangdong Province; Chen Huaping, Party chief of Shenzhen Stock Exchange; and Mao Junfa, president of Shenzhen University. 

Efim Zelmanov gives a speech at the X-Lake Forum yesterday.

“I hope Shenzhen will become a world-leading center for research, talent training and international exchange,” Zelmanov said. “I have noticed that the GBA plans to build high-quality education and research centers. This is an ambitious plan and I want to be part of it.”

“There is an old adage in health management which states that prevention is better than cure,” Kornberg said. “Genome sequencing helps scientists to develop a vaccine and antiviral drugs rapidly and plays a key role in preventing an epidemic.”

In addition, four science-related facilities in Shenzhen — the International Science and Technology Information Center, Shenzhen InnoX Academy, Shenzhen XINSTITUTE and New Cornerstone Science Foundation, were officially inaugurated. 

The International Science and Technology Information Center is an intelligent and digital platform offering search functions for science literature and documents, science data, and science and technology information.

Shenzhen InnoX Academy focuses on science and innovation education. 

The New Cornerstone Science Foundation launched by Shenzhen-based tech giant Tencent will give Chinese researchers new freedom to explore science, unhindered by conditions or targets. 

The X-Lake Forum was a key sideline event of the 24th China Hi-Tech Fair.

The five-day fair, covering 300,000 square meters, attracted 5,600 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions, bringing a total of 8,600 projects.