Beijing's non-consensus sci-tech projects produce early results

Beijing has reported early results from its first batch of non-consensus science innovative projects, a new funding mechanism to support research ideas that lack broad agreement among experts.

Launched in 2025 by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation, the initiative backs ideas that lack broad expert agreement but may carry transformative potential.

Seventy-two projects selected under the program have begun to show tangible outcomes, with several non-consensus ideas achieving breakthroughs, according to the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

"Since the first batch of non-consensus projects was launched, overall progress has been good, with innovation vitality continuously unleashed. We have seen breakthroughs in areas such as solar-thermal hydrogen, new storage technologies, and brain-computer interfaces," said Liu Yang, deputy director of the general office of the Beijing Natural Science Foundation.

The non-consensus science innovation projects adopt a real-name expert-recommended review mechanism to support projects centered on major original and disruptive innovations.

Unlike traditional funding, the program allows a project to be approved if even a single expert gives recommendation, despite broader disagreement. Officials said the mechanism is intended to open a "green channel" for developing breakthrough innovation.

One of the early breakthroughs came from Tsinghua University, where researchers developed a light-and-heat co-catalysis pathway for hydrogen production.

The method improves yields under mild conditions and reduces carbon emissions by converting by-products into formaldehyde, offering a greener alternative to traditional high-temperature processes.

"Traditional hydrogen production requires high temperatures and generates large amounts of carbon dioxide. We wanted to change that, and we wanted to avoid such high temperatures. So, we first proposed a new concept, something that had no precedent before," said Tang Junwang, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering of Tsinghua University.

The program adopts double-blind reviews, concealing the information of both reviewers and applicants to eliminate interference from nepotism. The real-name recommendation system requires experts to lend personal credibility to their endorsements, thus reinforcing accountability.

"The first thing I paid attention to is its disruptive technology, as the core value of non-consensus projects is to support disruptive innovation from zero to one. Of course, there may be risks, but non-consensus project initiative allows failure," said Tian Zhenyu, director of the Combustion Dynamics Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Engineering Thermophysics.

The expert pool for the initiative includes more than 3,700 leading scholars, among them academicians and national-level talent, covering disciplines from mathematics and chemistry to medicine and engineering.

Beijing's non-consensus sci-tech projects produce early results

Officials and exhibitors from Canada on Monday hailed the important role of the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in promoting international trade, saying it serves as a great platform for Canadian authorities and businesses to better understand Chinese consumers and market trends.

Canada is the Guest Country of Honor at the CICPE 2026, or the six CICPE.

The event, held in Haikou City of south China's tropical island province of Hainan from April 13-18, served as a key gateway for around 40 Canadian companies to access China's vast consumer market, with exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products from premium cosmetics and health products to agriculture and pet food.

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of western Canada's Alberta province, said the expo helped him to understand the current market trends.

"It's really important for me to see what the market trends are here and to be able to maximize on those market trends. We're here to be able to have those conversations and see how we can be a better trading partner, and how we're going to be able to flow our high quality agricultural commodities into this country," said the minister.

Ji Hualei, a Canadian exhibitor who is launching a new wearable device at the expo, expressed his confidence in China's market potential.

"We have observed a clear shift of Chinese consumers' focus from one specific function of products to healthiness and sustainability. The CICPE provides an excellent platform for showcasing and launching our new products, and I think Hainan's zero-tariff policy will also offering us great resources," said the exhibitor.

Attending an event at the Canada Pavilion, Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said more efforts will be made to boost trade and exchanges between his country and China.

"Very important for us to be at the show. As the Chinese consumer market grows, we're exploring more options to get more flights between China and Canada to build more people to people ties, and more tourism between the two countries," said Sidhu.

This year's CICPE is the first national-level consumer expo since the launch of island-wide special customs operation in the Hainan Free Trade Port in December 2025, drawing participation of more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions.

Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's vast market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.

Canadian officials, exhibitors hail role of Hainan consumer products expo in trade promotion