2nd Tianshan Dialogue held in Urumqi to promote tech-driven industrial upgrading

The second Tianshan Dialogue was held on Sept 12 in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, bringing together more than 600 representatives from government, industry, academia, research institutions, and application fields to discuss industrial development through technology.

The event focused on emerging fields, including intelligent transportation, smart water management, new energy, the low-altitude economy, digital governance, and ecological industries. Participants discussed new approaches to tech innovation and industrial development that could be suited to Xinjiang's resources and geographic advantages.

In recent years, Xinjiang has promoted innovation, technology, and talent development, expanding its innovation platforms, high-tech enterprises, talent pool, and R&D investment. The region now has over 1,300 sci-tech innovation platforms and more than 3,500 high-tech enterprises, as explained at the event.

He Xiaoming, secretary-general of the Tianshan Dialogue organizing committee, said the initiative aims to provide intellectual support for Xinjiang's industrial transformation and upgrading and the development of new quality productive forces, while helping more sci-tech achievements take root in the region.

Bai Chunli, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said artificial intelligence is profoundly reshaping the underlying approaches to scientific research and becoming a key link between technological and industrial innovation. He also discussed new approaches through which AI can drive changes in scientific research paradigms, offering insights into how Xinjiang can seize emerging opportunities and pursue high-quality development.

The Tianshan Dialogue has facilitated over 100 scientific and technological innovation projects since its launch. Xinjiang plans to continue promoting cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration among industry, universities, and research institutions to drive industrial innovation and upgrading.