The 29th Beijing-Taiwan Science and Technology Forum, themed "Technology Leads Industrial Integration, Digital Intelligence Empowers a Healthy Future", opened in Beijing on Sept 19. Guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered to discuss advancement in scientific and technological innovation as well as opportunities for industrial cooperation.

In her address, Su Hui, vice-chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, stated that in recent years, the Chinese mainland has thoroughly implemented the innovation-driven development strategy and established institutional mechanisms that support comprehensive innovation. 

Key areas in industrial science and technology have entered a new stage, marked by the emergence of leading achievements, she noted. This has created broad space for strengthening cross-Strait cooperation in the economy, science and technology, and other fields, she said.

She expressed the hope that compatriots on both sides of the Strait will firmly seize development opportunities, pursue cooperation in a proactive manner, embrace the surging trend of innovation, and deliver fruitful win-win outcomes, so as to continuously grow China's national economy.

Yin Yong, mayor of Beijing, stated in his address that Beijing boasts abundant resources in education, science and technology, and talent. Its diverse scenarios for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements‌ and vast market space have nurtured a favorable environment for various entities to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, Yin added.

Peng Qing'en, deputy director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that the Chinese mainland, as a major contributor to global economic growth and a key hub for scientific and technological and industrial innovation, remains the top choice for Taiwan compatriots to start businesses.

Li Zhenghong, president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland, stressed that Taiwan-funded enterprises can fully utilize their competitive edge in semiconductors, financial services, software R&D, and other fields to deeply align with Beijing's scientific and technological innovation resources and application scenarios, and deepen collaborative innovation among enterprises, universities and research institutes.

Guo Jinlong, president of the Chinese mainland side of the Cross-Strait CEO Summit, said that the Chinese mainland's increasingly robust innovation system has built a broad platform for cross-Strait collaborative innovation.

Liu Chao-shiuan, Taiwan-side president of the Cross-Strait CEO Summit, stated that the forum has grown into an important exchange platform for cross-Strait scientific and technological innovation and economic and trade cooperation, enabling numerous cooperation projects to evolve from conceptual ideas to tangible outomes.

The forum also featured signing ceremonies for cross-Strait economic and technological cooperation projects, partnerships of the cross-Strait smart healthcare industry cooperation alliance, and other events.