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).

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Sunday the country has discovered more than 7.5 trillion cubic feet (21.24 billion cubic meters) of gas reserves in a field in the southern Fars province.

Nearly 5.7 trillion cubic feet of gas can be extracted from the field, considering a recovery factor of about 72 to 73 percent, Paknejad said in an interview with state-run IRIB TV.

"The newly-discovered resources add tens of billions of dollars to the intrinsic value of the country's wealth," he said, adding the field also contains a significant amount of gas condensate reserves.

Iran holds nearly 34 trillion cubic meters of proven gas reserves, according to data by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. After Russia, the country has the second-largest gas reserves in the world.