The 2026 Pujiang Innovation Forum opened Saturday in Shanghai with the launch of a Yangtze River Delta joint fund aimed at strengthening basic research and regional scientific cooperation. The project is set to pool 250 million yuan (about 37.27 million U.S. dollars) annually to support basic research, with total funding projected to reach 1.25 billion yuan over the five‑year cooperation period from 2027 to 2031.
The forum also announced the joint construction of a Yangtze River Delta scientific data‑sharing service platform, designed to open cross‑regional channels and make research data, instruments and facilities more accessible across the region.
"We hope to further strengthen central-local cooperation, open up cross-regional coordination channels, and enhance the co-construction and sharing of sci-tech resources. We will promote the open sharing of innovation resources such as scientific data, large-scale research instruments and major scientific facilities, open up new tracks for future industries, and work together to build world-class industrial clusters," said Jiang Ge, deputy director at the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission.
The forum also spotlighted global sci‑tech cooperation, with participants agreeing to launch a worldwide alliance of innovative cities to promote cross‑border collaboration and shared progress in emerging technologies.
South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande praised China's role in helping developing countries keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
"We really appreciate. On artificial intelligence, China has opened a very important platform for developing countries. China is, through that, trying to make sure that developing countries are not left behind," said Nzimande.
Held from Friday to Monday, this year's forum is themed "Sharing Innovation and Shaping the Future: The Mission of the Global Sci-Tech Community amid a New Round of Sci-Tech Revolution."
Initiated in 2008, the Pujiang Innovation Forum is an annual event organized by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the municipal government of Shanghai.
Shanghai hosts Pujiang Forum, launches Yangtze Delta basic research fund
