2026 Kick-off and coordination meeting

March 10, 2026 - The S&T Diplomatic Circle from Shanghai (S&TDC) gathered at the Consulate General of Italy for its kick-off and coordination meeting after the Chinese New Year of the Horse. 14 participating delegations attended, and the annual plan prepared by the Board was presented and explained.

It was also an opportunity to present the new composition of the Board, which has been reshaped in the fall 2025. The Board is now led by Italy, other members being Austria, Canada and France. One position is currently vacant and it will be filled soon.

Based on recent feedback from its members, the S&TDC plans to roll out a more engaging program in the coming months. This will include shorter, more frequent, and in-depth discussions on selected topics of particular interest to Chinese STI ecosystem, with input from external experts. These discussions will also provide a platform to compare different countries’ perspectives on China regarding specific issues.

The first of these seminars was held during the opening meeting with an update on IP protection in China related to AI, delivered by the Shanghai Patent & Trademark Law Office. Key topics such as the legal frameworks for patenting AI technologies in China, strategies for protecting AI-related intellectual property, and navigating the complexities of copyright and trademark laws in the context of AI innovations were covered. Some recent cases in AI IP litigation were also highlighted, showing how certain challenges are unique to the AI industry. Best practices for ensuring robust protection in the Chinese market were also suggested.

In 2026 S&TDC will continue with visits to Shanghai's technological hubs, but focus will be shifted to research facilities, CAS institutes, and universities from Shanghai, where seminars, policy briefs and workshops mentioned above can also be held.

An exciting part of the program will include full-day trips to better understand S&T aspects of neighboring provinces such as Zhejiang and Anhui. The S&TDC is determined also to have a more proactive participation in major S&T events in Shanghai and foster closer cooperation with local government bodies.

The participants of the kick-off meeting praised the proposed program, which aims to revive science diplomacy in Shanghai through activities of shared interest. These activities will help deepen understanding of the Shanghai STI ecosystem and its development, providing valuable insights for interactions with relevant capitals and supporting visiting delegations from various countries.

Countries: Italy, Austria, France, Canada, Switzerland, Slovenia, Argentina, UK, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Mexico, Luxembourg, Turkey (14)

Others: Shanghai Patent & Trademark Law Office (invited speaker)

Participants: 14

Event date: March 10, 2026