The island city of Pingtan opened a display of the latest technological breakthroughs for business leaders from the mainland and Taiwan, on Sept 21, along with an investment promotion and a related forum for more than 400 scientists and company representatives.

The theme of the 2016 Pingtan Innovation Forum for Entrepreneurs and Scientists is "Smart island, innovation chain, and roadmap" and the idea is to provide a place where participants can hold talks on innovation-led industrial changes. The items on display include 3D printing devices, fluorescent ceramics LEDs, spray form technology, and a hepatitis E vaccine.

In commenting on the forum, Chen Xiaoya, a former vice-minister of science and technology, said that it provides a good site for entrepreneurs to get together with scientists to exchange ideas and to help enterprises put their developments on the market.

Addressing the forum was the head of Xiamen University's National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xia Ningshao, who is invited to describe the hepatitis vaccine at the forum.

Xia explained that Hepatitis E is endemic to South and Central Asia, and that they hope to put the vaccine on foreign markets to help cure people with the virus in countries along the Belt and Road. He also commented on his feelings about Pingtan, saying that it properly reflects nearby Xiamen as a business hub in Fujian, with its modern development, and that he plans to spend some time visiting its old quarter and admiring the interesting, ancient stone houses.

The 2016 Pingtan Innovation Forum for Entrepreneurs and Scientists takes place in Pingtan, Fujian province on Sept 21. [Photo by Nian Wangshu/Pingtan Times]