In a joint effort to advance the “Innovation China” initiative and promote regional collaboration in science and innovation, the Biophysical Society of China (BSC) held a matchmaking conference with a delegation from the Fuzhou Association for Science and Technology (FAST) and Fuzhou Talent Development Group in Beijing on June 11.

The meeting, aimed at exploring how scientific associations can better serve regional innovation needs, was chaired by Xu Wenli, director of the BSC’s general office.

The event focused on three core areas: science popularization, the construction of high-level academic platforms and the translation of sci-tech achievements.

Participants of the conference pose for a group photo. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC]

Xu opened the meeting by introducing the BSC and its extensive efforts in science communication. She highlighted the society’s major outreach initiatives, including the Outstanding Middle School Students Program and the Spring Rain Project. These programs have supported the creation of 18 science education bases across the country, utilizing a hybrid online-offline model and fostering collaborative networks among universities, schools, local science associations and enterprises, she said.

The BSC holds a matchmaking conference with a delegation from Fuzhou in Beijing on June 11. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC]

Wang Zhiwu, vice-chairman of the FAST, emphasized Fuzhou’s strong commitment to becoming a pilot city for the “Innovation China” initiative. He also voiced the city’s need for support from scientific organizations in integrating academic expertise with industrial development.

Pan Chaoqiang, deputy general manager of Fuzhou Talent Development Group, said the group will actively connect with BSC scientists to serve technological breakthroughs in Fuzhou’s industries.

Lin Kejing, general manager of SunyBiotech, shared the progress in establishing the C. elegans Science Education Base and the Fuzhou Sci-Tech Innovation Center, demonstrating the active role enterprises are playing in local science outreach and technological integration.

Zhang Hong, vice-president and secretary-general of the BSC, reaffirmed the society’s dedication to bolstering regional scientific advancement. “Science popularization and innovation are two wings of technological development,” he remarked. “This meeting offers experience for government-enterprise-academia-research collaboration in promoting the integration of science education, innovation and industry.”

The matchmaking conference marks a new step in the cooperation between the BSC and Fuzhou under the “Innovation China” framework. It lays the groundwork for the two sides to join hands in the future in talent development and the utilization of scientific achievements.