On October 19, the 36th China Simulation Conference kicked off in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, gathering experts and scholars in the field of simulation to discuss the future of this evolving industry along the Grand Canal.

The event is organized by the China Society for Simulation, a national academic organization under the Chinese Association for Science and Technology. Known for being the hallmark of academic exchange in simulation, the conference takes place annually. This year’s theme is “Collaborating in Simulation Intelligence to Create a Future World,” featuring a unique format comprising one main academic venue, 21 sub-venues, and a simulation industry exhibition.

During the opening ceremony, Wang Zili, chairperson of the China Society for Simulation and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized the rapid evolution of simulation technology in light of global digitalization and intelligence. He stated that this foundational, shared, and strategic technology is advancing rapidly toward digitization, intelligence, virtualization, networking, and universal service, all while continuously being optimized through practical applications. This, he explained, contributes significantly to enhancing the country’s overall innovation capacities.

Simulation science and technology now find applications across a wide array of fields such as aerospace, industry, agriculture, commerce, education, military, transportation, medicine, and life sciences, proving to be a vital tool for fostering new productive forces.

Wang further commented, “As a bridge connecting the digital and physical worlds, simulation technology is a key support and driving engine for future digital economy development. It represents the core competitive strength and persistent driving force for efficient and green growth across various applications.”

This year marks the first time in 36 years that the simulation conference is held in Jiangsu, specifically in Yangzhou. The event harnesses cutting-edge simulation technologies and industry resources, particularly leveraging the unique advantages of the aviation industry chain in Yangzhou. It aims to accelerate the integration of innovation chains, industrial chains, financial chains, and talent chains, facilitating the transformation of more technological achievements in the city.

In his address, Yangzhou’s Vice Mayor Luo Xueming remarked, “Yangzhou hopes to use this conference as a medium for friendship and business development, creating an important platform for communication and cooperation among government, academia, and industry.” He expressed hopes that attending experts and scholars would share innovative insights, spark intellectual debates, and encourage collaboration, all while contributing to the high-quality development of the simulation industry. Luo invited attendees to explore opportunities in Yangzhou, invest in the city, and become partners in the development of this promising location.

The opening ceremony also recognized recipients of the 2024 China Society for Simulation Science and Technology Awards for innovative technologies, awarded certificates for the high-quality doctoral thesis encouragement program, and announced details about the upcoming 2024 competition.