National sci-tech innovation resources converge at east China's Anhui tech fair

The 4th China (Anhui) Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Transformation Fair, which kicked off on Sunday in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, has gathered sci-tech innovation resources from across the country, demonstrating robust technological strengths and their application potential.

The three-day fair features eight exhibition zones, showcasing over 2,800 high-quality achievements from more than 1,000 organizations. Notably, over 30 percent of the exhibits are debuting at a national-level event.

During the fair, 13 specialized matchmaking events will be held, covering key fields including artificial intelligence, nuclear fusion energy, and low-altitude economy. These sessions aim to further link national innovation resources and facilitate the translation of more sci-tech achievements into industrial applications in Anhui.

"High-quality outcomes from the three comprehensive national sci-tech innovation centers -- the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area -- along with cutting-edge achievements from 31 top-tier universities both within and outside Anhui -- are being showcased at the fair. This represents a remarkable convergence of the country's top sci-tech innovation resources," said Chen Longsheng, deputy director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

Additionally, a dedicated interactive zone has been set up in the main exhibition hall, spotlighting the latest advancements in intelligent robotics. Visitors can engage in immersive, hands-on experiences to gain an up-close appreciation of how technological progress is shaping a better quality of life.

The China (Anhui) Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Transformation Fair serves as an important window to showcase cutting-edge sci-tech innovations and a key platform for business matchmaking and transactions, helping to deepen the integration between technological innovation and industrial growth.

Having been successfully held three times previously, the fair has drawn participants from national ministries, prestigious universities and research institutes, tech companies, and investment and financing institutions. Over its previous editions, the fair has facilitated the signing of 780 technology projects, with a total value approaching 230 billion yuan (about 33.64 billion U.S. dollars).

National sci-tech innovation resources converge at east China's Anhui tech fair

China has recorded ten consecutive quarters of growth in imports and exports with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the data for the second quarter of this year from the General Administration of Customs GAC) showed on Tuesday.

China's trade with ASEAN reached 4.34 trillion yuan (about 640 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2026, marking an 18.2-percent increase compared to the same period of last year, according to GAC.

"In the first half of this year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN stood at 4.34 trillion yuan, up 18.2 percent year on year on. Of this total, imports and exports in the second quarter accounted for 2.37 trillion yuan which represented a year-on-year growth of 20.2 percent and marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth.," said Lyu Daliang, a spokesman for the customs bureau, at a press briefing.

"China and ASEAN have continuously strengthened infrastructure connectivity. In the first half of the year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN via the new western land-sea corridor grew by 18.2 percent, with railway and highway transport increasing by 24.7 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively," Lyu said.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

China records ten consecutive quarters of trade growth with ASEAN