The Forum on Women in Sci-Tech Innovation, as a parallel event of the 2023 Zhongguancun Forum, was held in Beijing on May 28. It marked the first time the Zhongguancun Forum, established in 2007, included a women's forum.

Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the All-China Women's Federation, attended and addressed the forum.

Shen noted Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed achieving self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology is the key to China's modernization. The 20th National Congress of the CPC outlined strategic plans for implementing the strategy of rejuvenating the country, through science and technology, strengthening talents' support for modernization, and building China into a great power in science and technology.

Shen called on women in science and technology to study and implement the spirit of Xi's congratulatory letter to the Zhongguancun Forum, to play unique roles in tackling hard-nut problems and promoting innovation in science and technology, to integrate into the global innovation system, deepen joint scientific research and development with other countries, to benefit people through scientific and technological innovation, and to make greater contributions to both building a community with a shared future for mankind and promoting global sustainable development.

She stressed women scientific and technological talents are an important force in promoting scientific and technological innovation. More than 33 percent of scientific and technological workers worldwide are women. China has more than 40 million women scientific and technological workers, and they account for more than 40 percent of China's total sci-tech workers. 

Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, called on women in science and technology to give full play to their wisdom and strength in addressing global challenges, and to improving governance of global innovation systems. She also urged women to work together to ensure more countries and people benefit from scientific and technological achievements. 

With the initiative themed Toward a Shared Future with SHE Power in Cutting-Edge Technologies, the forum called for global women in science and technology to make greater achievements in cutting-edge technologies.

Outstanding women scientists were invited to give speeches and/or join the roundtable discussions, which focused on the theme Technology for Better Lives.

Several national key research and development programs, led by women scientists, and major science and technology projects, in Beijing, were unveiled during the forum.

The forum was hosted by the All-China Women's Federation, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the China Association for Science and Technology, and the Beijing Municipal Government. It was organized by Beijing Women's Federation, Beijing Association for Science and Technology, and China Women's Association for Science and Technology. More than 300 women scientific and technological workers and representatives of high-tech enterprises attended. 

Photos by Yang Rui

(Source: Publicity Department of the All-China Women's Federation/Translated by Women of China)