In the fragrant surroundings of Chengdu, with osmanthus blossoms scenting the air and hibiscus in full bloom, the 2023 China Biotechnology Innovation Conference, jointly organized by the China Biotechnology Development Center and the Chengdu Municipal People's Government, was held from the 17th to the 20th at the Century City International Convention and Exhibition Center in Chengdu's Hi-Tech Zone.This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Biotechnology Center, and the opening ceremony featured a retrospective of the development and achievements of biotechnology in China, along with keynote addresses by several experts. The conference also hosted 24 thematic sessions covering topics such as synthetic biology, vaccine technology, the high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine, and financial capital, with participation from over 20 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

This year also marks the first year of the Biotechnology Center's transfer from the Ministry of Science and Technology to the National Health Commission. In his address, Deputy Director Cao Xuetao of the National Health Commission emphasized that future work in the field of biotechnology should focus on innovative research and development, serving the construction of a healthy China, promoting the development of the bioeconomy, and expanding international cooperation.

At the invitation of the organizing committee, the Regional Research Center participated in the "National Biomedical Park Closed-Door Seminar" and delivered a special presentation on "ICGEB - Providing New Opportunities for the Sustainable Development of China's Biotechnology Industry through International Cooperation." The presentation summarized the progress made by the ICGEB China Regional Research Center over the past two years, with a focus on its efforts and achievements in participating in the ICGEB international cooperation network and serving as a bridge for international scientific and technological cooperation. It also introduced the center's work in establishing overseas research and development bases and assisting Chinese biopharmaceutical companies in entering the international market. Following the seminar, Director Yang Yili and representatives from Suzhou, Xi'an, Wuxi, Jiangning, and other parks engaged in discussions to explore potential avenues for further collaboration.

Notably, the highlight of the Biotechnology Innovation Conference was the release of the National Biopharmaceutical Industry Park Competitiveness Evaluation and Analysis Report. In the 2021 evaluation report, Taizhou High-Tech Medical Zone ranked 11th, but this year it surpassed Shenzhen, becoming the 9th in the rankings. The top 1-8 are, in order, Zhongguancun, Suzhou, Zhangjiang, Chengdu, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Jinan's high-tech zones.