September 1, SZBL scientists and staff heard a keynote report themedThe Development of Biomedicine Under the Healthy China Initiative delivered by Director Zhan Qimin. A focus running through the report was to consider the role of the laboratory in context of China’s 14th Five Year Plan on biotechnology development. SZBL leadership including Wu Yun-Dong, Hu Xiaojun and Tu Huan attended the keynote report.

Director Zhan began the report by referring to the backdrop of COVID-19. He called for improved research not only for public health emergency preparedness but aging problems and major chronic diseases among the Chinese population as missions for scientists to serve the country’s strategic plan. An ultimate goal, as he pointed out, is to safeguard the health and well-being of our people.

In the following presentation, Zhan discussed the global tendency and frontline areas of biotechnology with the participants. He stated briefly the challenges faced in various frontier scientific areas, as well as the problems to be solved and the direction of development. He also pointed out the groundwork for better serving a healthy population is the original innovation as well as the transformation of biomedicine and biotechnology. At the end of presentation, in alignment with SZBL’s tasks, Zhan highlighted the focus of research and encouraged the scientists to be bold and innovative in challenging grand health questions.

The presentation was informed by meaningful engagement by the participated scientists. Questions on macro policy and research were asked and discussed. The keynote speech brought together diverse participants from around the laboratory for active dialogue and learning, and provided insights to help the SZBL research community build momentum around institutional development and future research agenda.