Global scientists gather in Tengchong to advance innovation-driven development

The Tengchong Scientists Forum 2025 opened in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Saturday, bringing together hundreds of scientists, university leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss frontier research and the integration of science with industry.

More than 120 academicians and over 70 presidents of well-known universities from home and abroad attended the forum, themed "Science and AI Changing the World," discussing the significant value of artificial intelligence (AI) in empowering industries across the board.

On the opening day of the three-day event, the "Tengchong Science Award" was presented to Chinese scientist Pan Jianwei from the University of Science and Technology of China in recognition of his pioneering achievements in quantum communication and quantum computing.

And for the first time, the forum also honored nine outstanding young scientists under the age of 40.

Xu Zhanbo, professor from Xi'an Jiaotong University in northwest China's Shaanxi Province is one of them. His team has developed the world's first hydrogen-powered smart zero-carbon energy system. His breakthrough supports China's goals of advancing green technological innovation.

"I believe that as information technology continues to integrate with the traditional energy sector, helping overcome some of the technological bottlenecks of sensing, calculation, and control in the traditional energy sector, building more zero-carbon parks is entirely feasible," said Xu.

A technology outlook report was released at the event, forecasting 10 major megatrends expected to transform the world by 2049. The report predicts that artificial intelligence will reach human-like capabilities across multiple domains, which was a hot topic at the forum.

"AI will be used quite a lot in the area of advanced materials, in chemistry, in physics. However, we need new technologies. Now, we're back at the drawing desk, trying to create new approaches of the use of AI for materials science," said Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel Laureate in Physics.

Yunnan Province is China's gateway to South and Southeast Asia. The forum also aims to foster international collaboration, particularly with neighboring countries.

"Talent developments, technology transfer, joint research and development, I think these are so founded on the grounds of what we are going to do with whatever effort we have in the country, but also collaboration with ASEAN, Lancang-Mekong countries, particularly in China," said Hul Seingheng, under-secretary of state at the Cambodian Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Global scientists gather in Tengchong to advance innovation-driven development

China will step up efforts to stabilize employment in 2026, said the head of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) at a press conference on Saturday.

Last year, China's top political advisory body issued policy guidance known as the "four stabilities", directing relevant ministries and departments to seek stabilization in the areas of jobs, firms, markets and expectations.

In response, the MOHRSS has implemented an employment-first strategy. According to Minister Wang Xiaoping, speaking at a presser on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, the ministry will continue that strategy.

"We will further implement the employment-first strategy and requirements of the 'four stabilities', strengthen guidance, expand channels and prioritize key groups to make new progress in high-quality full employment," she said.

"In terms of 'stabilizing jobs', we will increase support for labor-intensive industries such as foreign trade, construction, accommodation and catering, with the aim of stabilizing employment positions while promoting the development of these sectors. In terms of 'expanding capacity', we will actively tap the employment potential in fields such as the digital economy, high-end manufacturing and modern services to achieve job growth alongside industrial upgrading. In terms of 'improving quality', we will effectively implement the adjustment mechanism for minimum wage standards, regulate the human resources market order, and fully enforce the guarantee system guaranteeing for migrant workers' wage payments, thereby elevating employment quality through strengthened rights protection," she said.

She noted that specific measures will be introduced to assist the upcoming wave of graduates.

"The number of college graduates in China is expected to reach 12.7 million this year. We will further improve policy measures, fully tap the employment potential of various channels and fields, expand employment space at the grassroots level, and help young people display their talents in all walks of life," she said.

China to boost employment with targeted measures: minister