8th Sino-UK Forum at the University of Surrey
The 8th Sino-UK Forum on Innovation and Development took place from 4-5 November at the University of Surrey and the House of Parliament in London. This year’s forum themed was 'Digital Technology Innovation and Sustainable Development'.
The forum has become an important platform for academic exchange and co-operation in technological innovation between the UK and China, and a valuable window into policy developments in both countries. Jointly initiated by the Technology and Management Centre for Development, University of Oxford; the Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, this forum attracted the enthusiastic participation of scholars, business leaders, and industry pioneers. This year’s forum drew over 100 participants and featured keynote speeches and thematic sessions.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was chaired by Prof Xiaolan Fu, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in the UK and Founding Director of the Technology and Management Centre for Development (TMCD) of Oxford University. Opening remarks were delivered by:
- Prof Max Lu, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Surrey
- Mr Mingqin Ding, the Minister Counsellor for Science and Technology Affairs at the Embassy of China in the UK
- Baroness Manzila Uddin, Member of the House of Lords
- Mr Jack Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club
- Prof Feng Zhang, former Vice President of the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Keynote speech
The keynote speech on the morning of 4 November was chaired by Prof Yu Xiong, Associate Vice President of the University of Surrey and Director of SAMBA.
The following speakers presented keynote speeches:
- Dr Fuquan Sun, former Vice President of Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development
- Mr Anthony Rose, Founder and CEO of SeedLegals
- Prof Jin Chen, Director of the Research Center for Technological Innovation, Tsinghua University
- Prof Suma Athreye, Professor of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
They shared their research findings and industry achievements in relevant fields, sparking considerable interest and discussion among attending scholars and experts, creating a vibrant atmosphere for exchange.
Digital Economy Forum
On the afternoon of 4 November, the Digital Economy Forum was chaired by Dr Fuquan Sun, former Vice President of Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development. The forum invited several experts from academia and industry, including:
- Prof Maggie Fu, Senior Economist of OxValue.Al and Professor in Finance and Business Economics at Macau University
- Dr Ning Wang, Chief Scientist of OxValue.Al and Senior Research Fellow of Oxford University
- Dr Yuefeng Sun, Lead of Alibaba Cloud Academy Europe
- Dr Xiaoming Wang, Sales Director of Alibaba Cloud Europe.
The experts discussed the key topics, including, value creation for AI startups, OxValue.Al: A Multimodal and Al-Based Technology ValuationPlatform, and Empowering the future: Alibaba Cloud’s Innovation. Their presentations attracted broad attention and interaction among the attendees.
In the thematic session, chaired by Prof Jiang Yu from the Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, speakers included:
- Prof Jing Wu from the Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Dr Stelvia Matos, Co-Editor of Technovation and Reader at the University of Surrey
- Mr Eduard Romulus Goean, Vice President of Therme Group and Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey
- Mr Jon Mitchell, COO at London Export Corporation.
These experts delved into critical issues in digital technology innovation and sustainable development, drawing on their research findings and practical experience. Topics included how digital technology advances global sustainable development goals, and how innovative technologies support green transformation and economic growth.
The attending scholars and industry professionals showed great interest in these topics, with active engagement and interaction that highlighted the close connection and immense potential between digital technology and sustainable development.
The 8th Sino-UK Forum has laid a solid foundation for further joint efforts between the two nations in advancing digital innovation and global sustainable development. Attending scholars and experts exchanged insights, expanded academic perspectives on digital technology innovation and sustainable development, stimulated innovative thinking, and contributed actively to the deep integration of digital technology with green transformation.
The Surrey Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications (SAMBA) supported the event. The Organising Committee of the Forum was chaired by Dr Senmao Xia, Senior Lecturer in Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, Surrey Business School, University of Surrey. The Organising Committee members consist of staff and students of the University of Surrey, including:
- Mr Frankie Lai
- Miss Lulu Xia
- Miss Ruoxi Yang
- Miss Shiyuan Zhang
- Miss Yaotian Ma, Oxford University.
