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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) hosted the Sub-Forum of the Greater Bay Area Science Forum (GSF) on International Organisations and Bay Area Dialogue, themed “Science and Technology Innovation for Synergistic Development”, on 12 November 2024. About 200 delegates, including government officials, academicians, university leaders and entrepreneurs from Belt and Road countries, the Greater Bay Area and the mainland, gathered at CUHK campus to discuss topics like biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence and green energy. 

The officiating guests included Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; Professor Bai Chunli, President of the GSF and Former President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Mr Ye Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Professor Tuan said at the opening ceremony: “The Sub-Forum today was an important opportunity for researchers and industry leaders to exchange ideas and think about the development of the Greater Bay Area as a catalyst to turbocharge the growth of the innovation and research ecosystem.”

Professor Bai added: “International cooperation in science and technology not only fosters shared prosperity for human society but also helps address the common challenges of our world. I believe this Sub-Forum will prove to be a very valuable platform for fostering new partnerships and promoting academia-industry-government links. It will enhance Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector between the Greater Bay Area and the global scientific community.”

At the Forum, leaders and scholars delivered keynote speeches and reports, and participated in round-table discussions, addressing topics in biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence and green energy. They also explored how to maximise Hong Kong’s pivotal role in building a scientific and technological innovation hub in the Greater Bay Area.

Initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2018, the Alliance of International Science Organisations in the Belt and Road Region (ANSO) comprises 78 scientific and research organisations from countries and regions worldwide. CUHK is the only institution from Hong Kong to be a founding member of the Alliance. ANSO launched the GSF in 2021, which has become the highest-level academic event in the Greater Bay Area. Since 2022, CUHK has been participating in GSF activities including the sub-forums and organising the GSF Distinguished Lectures. CUHK also co-organised the Sustainable Development Sub-Forum and the Biomedical and Health Sub-Forum in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The 2024 GSF, guided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and jointly organised by the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government, the Hong Kong SAR government and the Macao SAR government, and hosted by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government and the Administrative Committee of Nansha Development Zone, will take place from 16 to 18 November 2024. With the theme “Leading through Open Science”, CUHK and ANSO co-organised the Sub-Forum of the GSF on International Organisations and Bay Area Dialogue.