On October 22, the highly anticipated 25th Annual Meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) took place in Hefei, Anhui province. With the inspiring theme "Leading with Innovation, Pursuing Self-reliance and Self-improvement - Creating a High-quality Cradle for Scientific and Technological Innovation," this prestigious event attracted over 800 eminent scientists and journalists to its main forum.

Wan Gang, president of the CAST, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to education development, technological innovation, and talent cultivation. He stressed the importance of integrated design and coordinated deployment of original innovation, integrated innovation, and open innovation, along with the development of innovation chains, industrial chains, and talent chains.

Wan also called for national academic societies and local science associations to closely align with basic research and work collaboratively to foster cooperation among strategic scientific and technological forces. He highlighted the significance of actively driving innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming scientific and technological achievements, and speeding up the building of robust and resilient industrial and supply chains.

China's innovation ecosystem is witnessing profound changes, he said. The CAST will utilize its wealth of experts and academic societies to achieve continued promotion of the scientific spirit and creation of an innovation ecology with Chinese characteristics.

Open science and innovation were also advocated, with encouragement for global dialogues among industry, academia, and research sectors, as well as support for entities, organizations, and talents in building a competitive global innovation ecosystem.

Han Jun, secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, recognized the significance of hosting the 25th Annual Meeting of the CAST in the province.

Anhui is focused on creating high-energy-level innovation platforms, accelerating the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements, and fostering a powerful new productive force through the development of original achievements.

Han expressed his hope that the CAST and various academicians and experts will support Anhui in strengthening the construction of disciplines and professional specialties and innovating talent training models.

During the main forum, Gao Hongjun, deputy president of the CAST, unveiled this year's list of major scientific, engineering and industrial challenges.

The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including the development of ultra-strong lasers and accelerators, China's deep space exploration, advances in functional molecules and materials research, vaccine research and development, quantum technology, and general artificial intelligence cognitive big models.