Future development will be driven strongly by ever more sophisticated technology: Fintech, Biotech, Agritech, Genomics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Big Data will dominate future decades. Sophisticated and well focussed human talent will be needed to drive that technology and scientific advances for the good of mankind.
Certain locations in our world have developed strong science and technology capabilities. Two such centres are Cambridge – where Europe’s primary and largest cluster of hi-tech companies resides - and Chengdu (Sichuan Province) in China. Both have developed large numbers of new and fast growing companies. And in the neighbouring to Sichuan, Guizhou, there's a burgeoning cluster of world class companies focussed on Fintech and Big Data. Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou has become the Big Data and crowdfunding centre of China and very much a leading centre on the world stage. In Chengdu the Hi-Tech Zone is amongst the largest of its kind in China.
In 1995 the State Council in Sichuan founded the Chengdu Overseas High-Tech and High Talents Conference (OHTC). Since that time a series of conferences and other events have successfully extended the influence and outreach of OHTC beyond the borders of Sichuan and indeed those of China. Initiatives are under way to increase and enhance learning and talent development by collaborations with centres of excellence outside China and the UK has become a major target for future development.
What better idea can you conceive against this background than further and specific initiatives to bring Chengdu, Guiyang and Cambridge closer together. The synergy resulting might in some cases change the world and clearly, many areas of activity will move forward faster through a “better together” approach than through needless competition.
It is with these thoughts in mind that you are invited to attend a seminar (on 10 January 2017 at Gonville and Caius College) which looks forward to prospects of real co-operation and joint activity for Cambridge, Chengdu and Greater China.