On November 5, SZBL welcomed Zhong Nanshan, a renowned respiratory expert, recipient of the Medal of the Republic and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering to the laboratory. The visit was accompanied by Shenzhen Vice Mayor Zheng Hongbo, Shenzhen Guangming District Mayor Cai Ying and other local officials. SZBL leadership including Wu Yun-Dong and Hu Xiaojun warmly received and met with the guests.
The visiting guests and relevant parties conducted a meeting at SZBL. SZBL Executive Vice Director Wu Yun-Dong opened the meeting with earnest welcomes. He pointed out that the development of SZBL has always stayed in line with national strategies. Ever since its inception two years ago, the laboratory has made achievements in terms of institutional system, talent base and scientific research. Wu Yun-Dong highlighted the COVID-19 research cooperation between the laboratory and Academician Zhong’s team, saying that the phased progress had laid good foundation for the two sides to move towards a deeper strategic partnership.
During the meeting, Academician Zhong heard briefings on the developments of SZBL with particular focus on infectious disease research. He fully commended the progress made by SZBL in basic research as well as interdisciplinary and industrial cooperation, and said that SZBL should further leverage its own strengths and geographical advantages as a part of Shenzhen to better buttress the national strategy of innovation-driven development. Academician Zhong also stressed, that the scientific institutions in the GBA should work together to promote synergy and pursue development that is more mutually benefit and interconnected. And by doing so to jointly foster a robust ecosystem that nourishes greater innovation and advances science and technology.
Shenzhen Vice Mayor Zheng Hongbo introduced the city’s experience in supporting national strategic development with regard to science and technology. He pointed out that Shenzhen has a strong economic foundation and sound industrial atmosphere that secures scientific and technological innovation. In recent years, the city has quickened its pace in developing a comprehensive innovation eco-chain that best combines basic research, breakthrough discovery, industrialization, fintech and talent services. Particularly, he said, the Guangming Science City which aims to energize the northern Shenzhen, was built and became home to a host of high-level innovator institutions including SZBL. He extended the hope that Academcian Zhong and SZBL could foster an even stronger tie in science and research, and based on that, to drive life science development to a higher level in the GBA.
The meeting also conducted deep-going consultations on clinical cooperation involving a number of local institutions. Officials and representatives from the Shenzhen People's Hospital, the Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Guangzhou Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission, Guangming District Committee, SZBL and relevant parties attended the meeting.
