The 2024 Zhongguancun Forum kicks off at Beijing on April 25, 2024. Photo: Tao Mingyang/GT

Cutting-edge technological achievements from artificial intelligence (AI) to life sciences and new materials were unveiled as the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) kicked off on Thursday in Beijing, showcasing China's rapidly progressing technology development and its continuous efforts to promote technology cooperation.

Dazzling technology presentations and symposiums on the opening day of the premier event for global exchanges and cooperation, which is scheduled to run from Thursday to Monday, attracted many scholars, technicians and investors from more than 100 countries and regions to share perspectives and seek deals.

The eye-catching prototype of intelligent humanoid TongTong was launched at the forum. As a practical example of China's fast-developing AI agent technology, TongTong can discern a person's intent and offer help, and its intelligence level is comparable to that of a child and still rising. 

Aslan Tarik, chief technology officer of Beijing Tangta Technology Co, who mainly focuses on AI and AI robotics, told the Global Times on Thursday that TongTong was among the technological results unveiled as the forum kicked off, and they're impressive and interesting.

"The reason I chose to locate the business in Beijing is because I really think this is the best place to develop new technology," Tarik said, adding that he is participating in the ZGC Forum to learn about potential cooperation partners and the latest technology.

A research team at Peking University produced an ultra-thin optical crystal made highly efficient by applying boron nitride. Optical crystals are the most important part of laser technology. These micron-sized crystals can increase energy efficiency by at least 100 times, and they lay the theoretical and material foundations for next-generation laser technology. 

State Power Investment Corp unveiled its self-developed heavy-duty gas power turbine, which is the most powerful and advanced gas turbine in China. The gas turbine has various features -- low carbon emissions, high power efficiency, and quick start and stop functions -- and it will play an important role in ensuring the nation's power security and power shifting during peak periods.

Themed "Innovating for a Better World," this year's annual conference of the forum has five major sections, including meetings and technology trading, and technology trading section brings together more than 6,000 innovative projects from more than 40 countries and regions.

The 2024 Zhongguancun Forum kicks off at Beijing on April 25, 2024. Photo: Tao Mingyang/GT

The event has attracted many domestic and foreign business representatives, technicians and investors to learn about the cutting-edge aspects of China's technological innovation. They are seeking investment opportunities and new profit areas, underscoring China's dedication to fostering an open environment and collaborative innovation.

With regard to Beijing's leading technology innovation background and promising development prospects, Germany-based technology transfer institution Steinbeis Foundation set up its office in Beijing in February.

Helen Ma, CEO of Steinbeis Sustainable Technology and Management Beijing Co, told the Global Times on Thursday that the company plans to build a demonstration base for China-Germany technological co-innovation in Beijing this year, aiming to facilitate more cooperation between enterprises in China and Germany.

Top scientists and engineers also offered their advice on problems facing the development of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and how to address the negative impact at the sub-forum of the ZGC on Thursday.

Raj Reddy, an international member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noted in an address at the Engineering Innovation Forum on Thursday that AI-enabled engineering innovation centers should be established for every discipline to facilitate the new technology to serve society.