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WIPO China: ADG Marco Aleman at 2024 ZGC Forum Series Report (I)

April 29, 2024

Beijing, April 25 - The 2024 ZGC Forum Annual Conference opened in Beijing. Mr. Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr. Yin Li, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and Mr. Marco Aleman, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), attended and addressed the Opening Ceremony, which was presided over by Mr. Yin Yong, Mayor of Beijing.

(Image: ZGC Forum)

In his opening remarks, Aleman pointed out that the theme of the 2024 ZGC Forum “Innovating for a Better World” aligned with the World IP Day’s theme for this year "IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity.”

Aleman commended Beijing’s remarkable achievements in IP and innovation, especially in promoting global exchanges and cooperation in science, technology, and innovation by hosting the ZGC Forum. He expressed that China is a powerhouse of innovation that contributes to global growth and sustainable development. China ranks 12th in WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2023, remaining the only middle-income economy in the top 30. This benefits from careful planning by the Chinese government in which IP is placed at the heart of the work.

Aleman emphasized the importance of cooperation between WIPO and China, including technology transfer, innovation and enterprise growth. WIPO’s data, economic research and IP analytics teams will collaborate with relevant Chinese authorities to support effective policy decisions; Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) covering 31 provincial-level regions will provide broader IP, innovation, and technology transfer services. In addition, Clinics and tools for SMEs and start-ups, and alternative dispute resolution are all focuses of further cooperation between the two parties.

(Image: ZGC Forum)

Ding Xuexiang emphasized the importance of scientific and technological innovation in Chinese path to modernization, and puts forward measures such as accelerating the construction of new projects, promoting frontier technologies, and continuously consolidating high-quality development. He also elaborated the construction of Beijing International Science and Technology Innovation Center, and its cooperation concepts such as jointly creating open innovation, jointly developing advanced production, and jointly solving major scientific and technological problems.

(Image: ZGC Forum)

Yin Li pointed out that the 2024 ZGC Forum demonstrated Beijing's rapid development in the field of science, technology and innovation. Beijing has rich resources of educational and scientific talent, with thousands of high-tech enterprises and huge amount of investment for R&D. S&T innovation has continuously stimulated Beijing's development momentum. In the future, Beijing will strengthen innovation resources, accelerate the construction of world-leading S&T parks, strengthen the basic research and key core technologies, and pursue more original and disruptive innovations. At the same time, it will optimize the innovation ecology, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, and create a market-oriented, legalized, convenient and international business environment.

Speeches by plenary session guests

In the Plenary Session, scientists, entrepreneurs and experts from around the world shared their insights on innovation, future and sustainable development.

Aaron Ciechanover, Laureate of Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, discussed the aging population and the revolution of personalized medicine, highlighted the need for scientific advancements in areas such as communication, transportation, treatment of loneliness, and special housing for the aging population. He acknowledged the role of science in addressing various global challenges.

(Image: ZGC Forum)

Yan Ning, Founding President of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research & Translation (SMART), Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, discussed the cutting-edge of structural biology and how AI can promote the development of new drugs. She called on all parties to work together to build a Greater Bay Area that focuses on biomedicine.

Stephen Perry, Honorary President of the 48 Group Club, China Reform Friendship Medal Winner, praised the selfless and innovation of the Chinese people and called for continued innovation to shape China and the world. He acknowledged China's advancements in technology and its role as a leader in the global community.

Lei Jun, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi Corporation, introduced Xiaomi's R&D plan and construction of smart manufacturing and automobile factories. He believes that building smart factories in Beijing is of great significance to Beijing's new industrialization and China's automobile industry. He also expressed his recognition of the Zhongguancun spirit.

Piero Scaruffi, Founder of Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (SVAlRI), discussed the history and future of AI. he analyzed the drivers of AI’s progress and the limitations of current AI, and also looked ahead to humanoid robots and the challenges of implementing AI in factories.

(Image: ZGC Forum)

Outside the meeting, Aleman held talks with Mr. Yin Li and Mr. Yin Yong, as well as other Chinese officials. They exchanged views on cooperation in promoting the development of competitive S&T clusters through IP, and technology transfer and commercialization. Aleman also communicated with heads of other international organizations and keynote speakers. These talks and exchanges deepened the relationship between WIPO and China, as well as the cooperation with international S&T and IP community, aiming to use IP and innovation for a better world.

(Image: ZGC Forum)

About ZGC Forum

Originated in 2007, with the permanent theme of “Innovation and Development”, the ZGC Forum has become a state-level platform for global exchanges and cooperation in science, technology and innovation. The 2024 ZGC Forum is co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the China Association for Science and Technology and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. It includes nearly 120 activities in six sections: forum meetings, technology transactions, exhibitions, achievements releases, competitions, and supporting activities. The 2024 Forum brings together representatives from international scientific organizations and research institutions, world’s top scientists, well-known entrepreneurs and investors, which come from more than 100 countries and regions. Parallel forums featured with various themes will be organized to exchange ideas on the cutting-edge technologies in such fields of digital economy, artificial intelligence, life and health, and carbon neutrality, promoting global science and technology innovation exchanges and cooperation.

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