The Zhongguancun Forum 2017, with a theme of "Innovation, Intelligence, New Economy", was held in Beijing on Dec 7.

As a high-level international forum it provided a platform for dialogues on innovation driven economy and technology trends.

The event organized a core forum focused on Zhongguancun's history and future and three parallel sub-forums on new economic development, the 2017 Shengjing Global Innovation awards and artificial intelligence and industrial revolution.

Dan Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, shares his ideas on the development of leading technologies and global innovation and entrepreneurship. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An activity promoting Zhongguancun's outstanding innovative talents and entrepreneurial youth under 45 year of age was highlighted during the event. Entrepreneurs on the list included Zhang Yiming, founder and CEO of Toutiao, Dai Wei, founder and CEO of Ofo, and Cheng Wei, president and CEO of DiDi.

In the next five years, Zhongguancun will form an industrial cluster with more than five companies with global influence, over 10 open data innovation platforms, and more than 500 AI companies at an economic scale of over 50 billion yuan ($7.56 billion).

The Zhongguancun Forum 2017, with the theme of "Innovation, Intelligence, New Economy" was held in Beijing on Dec 7. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global experts, scholars and entrepreneurs gathered for the forums exchanged their ideas on innovation and development. Dan Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, expressed his ideas on the development of leading technologies and global innovation and entrepreneurship. Vaughan Smith, vice president of Facebook, gave a speech on AI: Driving Global Innovation.

The Zhongguancun Forum, a major event in Zhongguancun Science Park, has been held for ten consecutive years since 2007.

Zhongguancun Science Park is China's most resource-intensive area and has abundant scientific and technological intelligence. It's where the first Chinese private technology company and first high-tech development zone were established.

Zhang Yiming, founder and CEO of Toutiao, delivers a speech at the Zhongguancun Forum 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]