Several major cutting-edge sci-tech infrastructure projects have started operation in Shenzhen's Guangming Science City in south China's Guangdong Province. It was announced at the 2024 Guangming Science City Forum which was held in Shenzhen on Thursday.
The sci-tech infrastructure projects include synthetic biology research, brain analysis and brain simulation, all located in the Guangming Science City.
The infrastructure project on synthetic biology research is currently the world's first large-scale scientific device in its field and can replace traditional manual operations by combining artificial intelligence with automated experimental techniques.
In addition, another major project, the high-resolution neutron spectrometer, has entered the trial operation phase.
Currently, with these projects in operation and trial operation, Guangming Science City has seen progress in seven major projects.
"These facilities have their own unique characteristics, enabling them to serve the development of the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. They can play significant roles in the development of scientific research at the national or even the international level," said Yang Xueming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The Guangming Science City is a pioneering area of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's international science and technology innovation center.
Major projects start operation in Shenzhen's Guangming Science City
The second round of U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to a large-scale prisoner exchange but failing to achieve substantive breakthroughs on core issues such as territorial arrangements and a ceasefire.
According to Ukraine, the talks were conducted trilaterally before moving to group consultations. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the Ukrainian delegation sought a "dignified and lasting peace," without disclosing specific outcomes.
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said the trilateral negotiations had been truly constructive, thanking the U.S. and the UAE for their mediating roles.
Russia's presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that there was progress and a positive movement forward in peace talks with Ukraine.
The talks ended with no joint political or security statement, underscoring persistent differences between Russia and Ukraine on key matters, including territorial disputes, ceasefire arrangements, and security guarantees.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said representatives from the three countries reached a consensus on a prisoner swap.
In a readout of the talks he posted on social media, Witkoff described the discussions as constructive and focused on how to create the conditions for a durable peace.
The delegations had wide-ranging discussions over the past two days on the remaining open issues, including methods for implementing a ceasefire and monitoring the cessation of military activities, according to Witkoff.
He added that the United States and Russia had agreed to establish a military-to-military dialogue to be led by commander of U.S. European Command Alexus Grynkewich.
Following the talks, Russia and Ukraine conducted their first large-scale prisoner exchange in nearly five months, with each side returning 157 detainees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said those released included both military personnel and civilians.
Zelensky also said Thursday that the next peace talks with the delegations of the U.S. and Russia will be held soon. "Further meetings are planned in the near future, likely in the United States," Zelensky said in his evening address.
However, no timetable or arrangements for a next round of talks were announced, highlighting continued uncertainty in the political settlement process.
The second round of talks began on Wednesday. The previous meeting of the trilateral working group on security issues took place from Jan 23 to 24 in Abu Dhabi. It marked the first trilateral engagement since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, although no concrete agreement or joint statement was announced afterward.
In a statement issued earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed cooperation between Russia and Ukraine on the prisoner exchange, saying it demonstrated the UAE's role as a reliable mediator in easing the crisis and promoting constructive dialogue.
2nd round of Russia-Ukraine talks ends in UAE with prisoner swap deal, key differences unresolved
2nd round of Russia-Ukraine talks ends in UAE with prisoner swap deal, key differences unresolved
