China science forum's 1st overseas event in Bangkok focuses on AI, life sciences

BANGKOK, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 Tengchong Scientists Forum (TSF) Bangkok Conference was held in Thailand's capital from Sunday to Tuesday under the theme "Connecting the World Through Intelligence, AI Transforming the Future of Life Sciences."

More than 300 scientists, government and business leaders, university representatives, industry experts and representatives of international organizations from over 10 countries and regions engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and life sciences, and regional collaborative innovation in science and technology.

Xu Zhihong, co-chair of the Tengchong Scientists Forum and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said the forum has always made collaboration its defining feature, citing close sci-tech ties between China and Thailand and between China and ASEAN.

Wu Zhiwu, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, said China is ready to work with Thailand to strengthen strategic alignment and build synergy for innovation, deepen AI-plus cooperation to share development dividends, and enhance joint talent cultivation to consolidate the foundation for development, so as to advance bilateral cooperation.

Bai Chunli, a member of CAS, noted that China and Thailand, as well as China and other ASEAN countries, have broad space for cooperation in scientific research, talent development, industrial synergy, and translation of research outcomes.

Several Thai officials and scholars attending the event expressed their hope to deepen cooperation with China in AI and other sci-tech fields. Yodchanan Wongsawat, deputy prime minister and minister of higher education, science, research and innovation of Thailand, outlined Thailand's AI strategy at the event, calling for deepening Thailand-China AI cooperation and promoting the implementation of Chinese technologies in Thailand to serve the ASEAN market.

Piyamitr Sritara, president of Mahidol University in Thailand, noted that the university is actively drawing on China's experience in applying big data and using AI to assist diagnosis.

The 2026 TSF Bangkok Conference aims to build a key hub for science and technology cooperation between China and ASEAN, facilitating exchanges between scientists, matchmaking among enterprises, and the translation of research outcomes.