The rise of AI technology has given wings to scientific innovation worldwide. At the same time, the global community is grappling with growing division and conflicts. Enhanced international cooperation in science and technology is needed now more than ever before.

The annual Zhongguancun Forum, founded in 2007, has become a response to this need. As a key international platform for enhancing global innovation in science and technology, it provides a vital venue for dialogue and collaboration.

The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum that convened in Beijing from Wednesday to Sunday under the theme "Full Integration between Technological and Industrial Innovation", attracted the participation of some 1,000 guests from more than 100 countries and regions.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang called on all parties to build a global community for science and technology.

To promote the advancement of science and technology, the first imperative is to build a more open and inclusive innovation network. To this end, countries should work together to tighten the bonds of cooperation among various innovation entities.

An open network not only accelerates breakthroughs by pooling global expertise and resources but also ensures that smaller nations and developing economies can share in the fruits of technological progress. Such inclusive connectivity is essential for collective advancement.

Efforts also need to be made to pursue broader and more diverse scientific and technological collaboration. This involves strengthening coordinated research in basic and frontier fields and the application of emerging technologies.

To properly address potential rules conflicts, social risks, and ethical challenges that may arise from technological development, more still needs to be done to promote equitable and benevolent science and technology governance. Indeed, as transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence become increasingly embedded in daily life, the global community must collaboratively establish standards and regulations that ensure ethical use, protect privacy and mitigate risks.

Collaborative governance can help prevent conflicts, manage the social impacts and address ethical dilemmas. Such governance is not about stifling innovation but about steering it toward outcomes that benefit all humanity.

China's commitment to advancing innovation is underscored by its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). The blueprint prioritizes innovation as a core pillar of high-quality development, with substantial investments in fields such as AI, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing.

This focus on technological self-reliance is not a turn toward isolation; rather, it creates vast opportunities for international talent, corporations, research institutions and start-ups to engage with China's dynamic innovation ecosystem through joint R&D or participation in emerging industrial clusters. The plan's emphasis on inclusive growth and win-win cooperation aligns seamlessly with the goal of building a global community for science and technology.

As Ding noted, turning the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into powerhouses for regional integrated development is conducive to achieving resource integration, policy synergy and complementary advantages, and developing them into international science and technology innovation centers. This initiative exemplifies China's commitment to collaborative innovation with global partners.

The path forward requires a collective commitment to openness, collaboration and responsible governance, not isolation, suppression and hegemony. By working together, nations can harness the full potential of technology to address shared challenges and build a more sustainable and equitable future. The Zhongguancun Forum, with its legacy of fostering global innovation, provides a fitting platform to start this journey together.