CAST's Intl Month 2026 kicks off in October
The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) launched its International Month 2026: Openness, Cooperation, Trust in October, featuring about 70 activities under the overarching theme "STI Bridges, Humanity Orients" and the annual theme "Originating Innovation, Nurturing Excellence."
Led by CAST and jointly organized with local governments, international sci-tech organizations in China, national academic societies and local associations for science and technology, the activities will be grouped into three sections: multidisciplinary international conferences, high-level academic conferences in specialized fields and people-to-people exchanges.
Events will take place in China's three international sci-tech innovation centers of Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei), Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as in regional innovation centers of Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality, Wuhan in Hubei province and Xi'an in Shaanxi province. Some events will be held abroad in countries including Kazakhstan.
Three sections to advance intl sci-tech dialogue
The Multidisciplinary International Conferences on Science and Technology section will focus on building consensus through flagship events with broad coverage, strong international influence and a high level of participation.
It will feature the International Science Council (ISC) Midterm Members' Meeting and Beijing Science Dialogue, the World Science and Technology Development Forum and the World Laureates Forum. Expected outcomes include the Beijing Declaration and the World Laureates Forum Declaration.
The High-Level Academic Conferences in Specialized Fields section will include more than 30 high-level international academic conferences focused on emerging frontiers and future development.
The 2026 International Conference on Surface Engineering (ICSE 2026) is held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province
These conferences will cover fields including new energy, materials science, space science, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits and quantum technology. They will bring together experts and young researchers from China and abroad to discuss frontier issues across disciplines and key industrial challenges. The events will produce research reports and academic papers, showcase new technologies and products, and propose technical standards and rules.
The Model Mechanisms for People-to-People S&T Exchanges section will feature more than 30 bilateral exchange activities between China and partners including Central Asian countries, ASEAN members and the United States, as well as the World Young Scientists Summit.
Aimed at young scholars and engineers from China and abroad, the exchanges will provide a platform for dialogue at the intersection of science, technology and culture while promoting mutual learning and joint research.
Intl Month 2026 to expand in scale and reach
This year's edition expands on the inaugural International Month in 2025 in scale, geographic coverage and participation.
Representatives from China and abroad attending the 13th International Conference of Intelligent Technology for Agriculture, held in Beijing, visit the Tianjin Institute of Intelligent Agriculture during International Month 2026: Openness, Cooperation, Trust.
The inaugural edition featured 63 activities and attracted more than 20,000 participants from more than 110 countries and regions. This year's event has streamlined its structure from four sections to three while increasing the number of activities to about 70. It will move beyond a single-city format to involve multiple regions across China, covering major sci-tech innovation centers and extending exchanges overseas.
The initiative will also draw on resources from national academic societies, major scientific journals and international sci-tech organizations in China. It will involve leading scientists in flagship forums and give young researchers and engineers platforms for exchange.
Three areas to drive intl sci-tech progress
The International Month 2026 will place greater emphasis on three areas: strengthening innovation, deepening people-to-people exchanges and actively participating in global sci-tech governance.
It will strengthen its role in advancing innovation by bringing together the latest research outcomes and global talent to support the development of disciplines and emerging industries.
A delegation participates in a live demonstration of intelligent connectivity and autonomous-driving technologies at the 2026 China–Arab Engineers Exchange Event on Oct. 14, 2026.
It will also deepen people-to-people exchanges by promoting diverse and inclusive dialogue and using science and technology to contribute to human progress.
Through its flagship conferences, the initiative will contribute to global sci-tech governance, promoting cooperation on rules, standards and scientific programs and working toward an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for international sci-tech development.