Published on : 30/08/2024

On August 30, 2002, the first Chinese Scientists Conference (中國科學家論壇) was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The Chinese Scientists Conference was founded by the famous Chinese scientist, then Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Chairman of the China Science Association, Academician Zhou Guangzhao (周光召) in 2002.

The theme of the first conference was "21st Century Technology and China's Modernisation".

The then Minister of Science and Technology, Xu Guanhua (徐冠華), emphasised in his keynote speech that, no matter how good the scientific and technological achievements are, or how close they are to the international advanced level, it would be difficult to form China's own industry without mastering intellectual property rights. Therefore, China must emphasise innovation, strive to make leaps, and strive to be ahead of others.

The first Chinese Scientists Conference lasted for three days, with participants discussing topics including the current status and prospects of China's modernisation, the fusion of science and humanities, nano-technology and industrial revolution, life science and bio-technology, the transformation and industrialisation of research institutions, modernisation of scientific progress and management, and sustainable development.