A robot interacts with a visitor during a permanent exhibition at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing,广东卫生计生新闻网 March 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum), scheduled for March 25-29 in Beijing, will highlight coordinated technological and industrial innovation across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, as well as high-quality international cooperation, officials said at a press conference on March 18.

Under the theme of "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation," this year's event will feature forum meetings, achievement releases, technology trading events, frontier competitions and supporting events. Thousands of guests from over 100 countries and regions are expected to participate, said Lin Xin, vice minister of science and technology, at the briefing.

According to Lin, this year's forum will have four key characteristics.

First, it will emphasize the enhancement of Beijing's role as an international center for sci-tech innovation by organizing forums and releasing policies for deepening coordination among Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

The event will also highlight the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. Specialized forums will cover topics such as 6G, brain-computer interfaces, and cellular and gene therapy, alongside frontier technology competitions and technology transaction conferences designed to facilitate collaboration and applications in these areas.

Additionally, Lin noted that the integrated advancement of education, science, technology and talent cultivation will be a significant aspect of the 2026 ZGC Forum, with the aim of igniting innovative potential.

The forum will also spotlight high-level scientific and technological openness and cooperation, striving to promote bilateral and multilateral international partnerships through a series of thematic activities.

Reflecting on previous editions, Lin explained that this year's forum will have a stronger global presence, shift toward cutting-edge technology, and emphasize cultivating new quality productive forces.

Robots will continue to be spotlighted at this year's forum, showcasing how AI evolution empowers various industries, said Jin Wei, vice mayor of Beijing.

An AI "translator" will support languages including French, Russian and Spanish in addition to Chinese and English. A robot-staffed cafe will also be available, featuring robots collaborating on meal preparation, and complemented by a robot band performing during the event, Jin noted.

Founded in 2007, the ZGC Forum has drawn growing attention and participation from both domestic and international guests, fostering greater scientific and technological exchange and collaboration.