The 2025 "Gather in Guangzhou, Connect the World" 2025 Top Scientists Bay Area Tour recently convened in Guangzhou's Tianhe district, which was organized by the Parkland Foundation with government support.

The forum brought together three internationally renowned scientists: Randy Schekman, 2013 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine; Serge Haroche, 2012 Nobel laureate in Physics; and Joseph Sifakis, 2007 Turing Award recipient. They shared insights into development trends and industrial opportunities in cutting-edge fields like life sciences, quantum physics, and artificial intelligence.

Scientists (from left) Serge Haroche, Joseph Sifakis, and Randy Schekman address an audience during the "Gather in Guangzhou, Connect the World" forum. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

The event was attended by representatives of the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Tianhe district government, and academic institutions, as well as over 300 business and academic leaders from the Greater Bay Area.

Gu Fang, executive chairperson of the Parkland Foundation, reiterated the foundation's ongoing commitment to fostering technological innovation and international scientific exchange in her address. She noted that the foundation utilizes its Guangzhou One Pengrui property as a platform to facilitate dialogue between scientists, businesses, and the public.

The event showcased the synergy between government and social entities in advancing technological innovation and the development of Guangzhou International Financial Town and the broader Greater Bay Area.

Students engage directly with the scientists in a dedicated session. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

A dedicated student session facilitated direct dialogue with the scientists, while the planting of a "Top Scientists Bay Area Commemorative Forest" served as a symbolic act, embodying the passing of scientific curiosity to the next generation and a shared commitment to a sustainable future.

Nobel laureate Randy Schekman helps plant a tree for the "Top Scientists Bay Area Commemorative Forest". [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]