Financial Street Forum spotlights tech-savvy high-quality development

Representatives from government departments, financial institutions and technology companies brainstormed tech-savvy high-quality development at the ongoing 2024 Financial Street Forum Annual Meeting in Beijing on Friday.

Guests attending the forum agreed that sci-tech innovation is the most important feature of new productive forces and high-quality development. It is necessary to build a financial system that is compatible with sci-tech innovation, strengthen support for major national sci-tech tasks and tech-savvy small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthen the ecological interaction between the primary market and the secondary market of sci-tech enterprises.

"A better secondary market for sci-tech companies can provide an exit channel for venture capital and a bottom support guarantee for patient capital. For the secondary stock market, it is very important to attract investors to invest in the field of sci-tech innovation," Huang Zhuo, vice dean of the National School of Development of Peking University, said at the forum.

At the forum, relevant government departments vow to play full guiding role of government investment and focus investment on innovation and core technology.

"We will introduce more reform measures that meet the needs and expectations of sci-tech innovation enterprises, especially tech-savvy SMEs. We will give full play to the role of the government's industrial venture capital guidance fund, and promote the smooth flow of various advantageous production factors to fields of sci-tech innovation and new quality productive forces," said Liu Dongwei, mayor of Xicheng District of Beijing.

Founded in 2012, the Financial Street Forum has been successfully held for 11 years. Seen as the bellwether of China's financial reform and development, it has been upgraded to a state-level and international industry forum since 2020, and become an important platform for the country's opening up and development.

The Beijing Financial Street (BFS), formed in 1993, is dubbed "China's Wall Street" and the "brain" of the country's financial sector.

Financial Street Forum spotlights tech-savvy high-quality development

The 11th Wuzhen Theater Festival raised the curtain Thursday evening in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in Zhejiang Province, east China, bringing together theatrical artists of all ages and enthusiasts from home and abroad.

This year's festival, which runs until Oct. 27 under the theme of "solidarity," features 24 specially invited plays from 11 countries. Of these, 18 performances will compete in the emerging theater artists' competition segment, as well as teaching and reading sessions and outdoor carnivals.

One of the festival's major attractions is the ancient town carnival, which has been drawing crowds of audience members and visitors. Each street is adorned with different scenes, creating an immersive experience.

At Zhaoming Academy, two young theatrical artists performed a puppet show that captivated numerous tourists.

"The marionette seems to come to life through the background music reminiscent of Nanyin (ancient court music) and the performer's lines reflecting an expression of inner self," said Song Qingru, a theater enthusiast.

"It's a popular festival, accessible to everyone. We ordinary people can enjoy it. I love these dramas and come here to take photos and appreciate the performances," said Xu Jufen, a visitor.

The drama fair at this festival features a variety of elements, including music, movies, designer toys, exhibitions, and fairs. It gathers inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and drama performers from across China, merging traditional folk cultures with contemporary arts.

"We invited artists from Peking Opera and Qinqiang Opera (a Chinese folk opera genre originating in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) to perform in Wuzhen. Tourists can sit on benches to appreciate traditional Chinese dramas, allowing us to share and spread our cultural heritage," said Lu Yaping, one of the program heads for intangible cultural heritage.

Wuzhen Theater Festival kicks off with variety of outdoor live performances