On October 19, 2023, the Donghu Forum opened in Wuhan, bringing together experts and scholars from the fields of science communication and technological innovation, along with representatives from international organizations, from more than 20 countries across North America, Europe, and Africa.

Hosted by the Hubei provincial government, this year’s forum focused on the theme “Nurturing the Soil of Science Communication to Soar with Scientific Dreams—Science Communication + Optoelectronic Information.” In addition to the opening and main forum activities, discussions concentrated on the optoelectronic information sector, featuring multiple parallel sessions and technology matchmaking activities aimed at promoting international scientific exchange and collaboration.

During the forum, four authoritative research reports were officially released, including the “Wuhan Science and Technology Innovation Center Index Report 2024.” The findings indicate significant growth in Wuhan’s knowledge creation, industrial dynamism, and influential outreach, alongside a continuous advancement in the internationalization of R&D efforts.

Hubei has been focusing on its strengths in optoelectronic information, high-end equipment, and life sciences, achieving breakthroughs in fundamental research, critical technologies, and major products. This has led to the development of internationally leading technologies in areas such as electromagnetic energy, brain-like sciences, and satellite navigation, as well as high-end products including high-resolution radar satellites.

In the first three quarters of this year, the total value of technology contracts in Hubei surpassed 400 billion yuan (approximately $58 billion). The province is experiencing accelerated growth in modern industrial clusters anchored by five trillion-yuan pillar industries, ten high-quality five-hundred-billion-yuan industries, and twenty thousand-billion-yuan特色 industries. Notably, the optoelectronic display, automobile manufacturing, and health industries are projected to exceed one trillion yuan this year.

Pedro Antonio Valdes Sosa, the director of the China-Cuba Frontier Research Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience Technology Transformation, commented on the fruitful collaboration between Cuba and China in the biopharmaceutical sector. He highlighted that Hubei has a comprehensive industrial chain in this field, indicating vast potential for future cooperation.

Initiated in 2023 with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Donghu Forum has been exploring new models for deep integration of science communication and technological innovation. This year, the forum also includes unique science communication activities, such as the “Belt and Road” International Science Performance Show, which aims to creatively illustrate scientific concepts through artistic performances for a cross-border, transformative science experience for the public.