2025 Zhongguancun Forum to open in late March, highlighting cutting-edge technologies

The 2025 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) is set to open on March 27 in Beijing, shining a spotlight on state-of-the-art technologies including AI large models, embodied artificial intelligence and 6G, a senior government official announced at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Founded in 2007, the annual forum is a state-level platform designed for global exchanges and cooperation in the field of scientific and technological innovation.

"The 2025 ZGC Forum Annual Conference will take place in Beijing from March 27 to 31. Established in 2007 with the permanent theme of 'Innovation and Development,' the ZGC Forum has seen 15 editions of it successfully held to date, featuring over 1,000 parallel forums and sub-level activities. It has drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees and visitors, and its brand influence continues to grow, becoming a significant platform for showcasing China's sci-tech advancements," said Lin Xin, vice minister of science and technology.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of the ZGC Forum on multiple occasions, delivering congratulatory messages to the annual event three times, according to Lin.

"Under the yearly theme of 'New Quality Productive Forces and Global Science and Technology Cooperation,' this year's edition of the ZGC Forum will comprise a total of 128 events across five major sections -- forums and conferences, technology transactions, achievements releases, frontier competitions, and sub-level activities. Over 1,000 speakers from more than 100 countries and regions will gather at the event to discuss how sic-tech innovation can foster new quality productive forces, offering fresh ideas and insights for global innovation-driven growth," said the vice minister.

The 2025 ZGC Forum will put emphasis on technological frontiers and achievements sharing and commercialization.

"By organizing multiple professional forums and major achievement releases in cutting-edge fields such as AI large models, embodied artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biomedicine, 6G, and brain-computer interfaces, the 2025 edition of the ZGC Forum aims to explore the latest trends in science and technology as well as industries. Events such as technology transaction conferences, frontier technology competitions, and major scientific-technological achievements releases will promote industrial application of major sci-tech achievements and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces," Lin said.

In addition, talent exchange will be highlighted at the upcoming forum. Dedicated sessions will be set up to provide opportunities for scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators to exchange ideas and collaborate.

The forum is also committed to open cooperation. It will foster inter-governmental dialogue on sci-tech collaboration while inviting international organizations, scientists, entrepreneurs and investors from around the world to share their expertise and wisdom.

2025 Zhongguancun Forum to open in late March, highlighting cutting-edge technologies

2025 Zhongguancun Forum to open in late March, highlighting cutting-edge technologies

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.

The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.

The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.

The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.

The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.

The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.

The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.

Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges