ZGC International Technology Trade Fair opens in Beijing to accelerate technology commercialization

As part of the 2026 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum Annual Conference underway in Beijing, the ZGC International Technology Trade Fair opened on Wednesday, offering new platforms and services to accelerate commercialization of innovations and promote global technology trade. Under the theme "Buy Globally, Sell Globally," the fair will host around 20 events and feature the debut of more than 500 high-tech projects.

One highlight is the "Orange Shop," a play on the Chinese word for "achievement shop," which showcases the latest scientific and technological advances. Innovations developed in laboratories can be exhibited both online and onsite at the venue, helping connect them with potential buyers and partners.

Another notable feature is the presence of a team of consultants in blue vests. Dubbed by their outfits, these technology managers are selected from universities, research institutes and tech parks, helping research results move toward real-world applications. "We offer a series of targeted services in investment, consulting, intellectual property, and scientific-technological incubation. We feel very much honored and proud to see that more and more new products of science and technology have been able to find suitable application scenarios as a result of incubation service provided by us," said Yang Lu, one of the "blue vests" at the fair.

Their work reflects a broader effort to strengthen the link between research and industry across Beijing and beyond.

"We are committed to keeping advancing in-depth integration of technological and industrial innovation and keeping fostering new quality productive forces to inject fresh momentum into development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei International Science and Technology Innovation Center," said Liu Qiang, deputy manager of ZGC Technology Service, host of the trade fair.

Founded in 2007 with the permanent theme "Innovation and Development," the ZGC Forum has grown into a global, open, and high-level platform for advancing global science and technology innovation.

The 2026 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum Annual Conference runs from March 25 to 29.

ZGC International Technology Trade Fair opens in Beijing to accelerate technology commercialization

ZGC International Technology Trade Fair opens in Beijing to accelerate technology commercialization

All 1,248 players of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the submission of final squad lists to FIFA, the world football governing body announced Tuesday.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico will feature in their sixth World Cup campaigns, while Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are going to play their first World Cup.

The tournament opens on June 11 and 104 matches will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final to be played on July 19.

"The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game," FIFA said.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament at 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at 17 years and 240 days old. There will be 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup squads confirmed