On July 11, 2026, the inaugural ceremony of the Community with a Shared Future for Mankind Foundation was held in Hong Kong with great solemnity. Under the theme “The Harmony of the Great Way, Humanity United as One,” nearly 300 distinguished guests from the global political, business, academic, cultural, philanthropic, and think‑tank communities gathered to witness the unveiling of the Foundation. Academician Zhang Xu—President of the Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Science and Technology (GDIIST) and Chairman of the Guangdong Society of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics—was invited to attend and delivered a keynote speech entitled “Science, Technology, and Human Well‑being.”

At the ceremony, Ms. Wang Jing, Chairperson of the Foundation, delivered a keynote address entitled “Ushering in a New Axial Age,” in which she articulated the philosophical vision of “the Harmony of the Great Way” and advocated for a new form of civilisation based on altruistic coexistence, harmony in diversity, and mutual benefit. She stated that the Foundation, anchored in Hong Kong and connected to the world, adheres to the core principle of “promoting the Great Way and harmonising the world,” and is committed to building an open and inclusive global platform for exchange and cooperation.

Academician Zhang Xu delivered a keynote speech titled “Science, Technology, and Human Well‑being,” in which he explored in depth the intrinsic relationship between science, technology, and human happiness. He pointed out that the fundamental purpose of scientific and technological development is to enhance human welfare, and that research and development in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence must always take the service of human well‑being as its starting point. Drawing on GDIIST’s research practices in brain‑inspired intelligence, he elaborated on how scientific and technological innovation can better serve the sustainable development of human society. He emphasised that in the intelligent era, technology is profoundly reshaping the way humans live and work, and that promoting technology for good and ensuring that it genuinely benefits society is the responsibility and mission of every scientific and technological worker.

The unveiling ceremony was jointly performed by Ms. Wang Jing and ten officiating guests, including: Mr. Wu Lianghao, Mr. Lin Guangzhao, and Mr. Yao Zhisheng, members of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Ms. Cai Huang Lingling, Mr. She Decong, Mr. Zheng Zhigang, Mr. Qi Zhifeng, Mr. Wei Mingde, Mr. Li Guoxing, and Ms. Wu Jingyi, members of the CPPCC National Committee; Mr. Cai Yi, a deputy to the National People’s Congress; and Ms. Zhao Zeng Xueyun, recipient of the Bronze Bauhinia Star and Justice of the Peace, along with other dignitaries from various sectors.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Ms. Wang Jing read aloud the “Declaration of the Community with a Shared Future for Mankind Foundation,” clearly defining the Foundation’s three core roles: “Pioneer of the New Axial Age, Promoter of Harmonious Civilisation, and Innovator of Global Governance.” All participants present jointly recited the initiative, issuing a global call to usher in a new axial age for human civilisation.

Earlier this year, the General Assembly of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering profoundly noted that artificial intelligence is flourishing, driven by key elements such as data, computing power, and algorithms; built upon theoretical breakthroughs and interdisciplinary integration in neuroscience, cognitive science, computer science, and mathematics; and marked by the collective breakthrough and extensive penetration of intelligent frontier technologies, exhibiting salient features including data‑driven processes, the Internet of Everything, human‑machine collaboration, and cross‑disciplinary integration.

As a research institution dedicated to systematic, comprehensive, and full‑chain brain‑inspired intelligence research, GDIIST has consistently focused on the frontiers of artificial intelligence. Academician Zhang Xu’s participation in the inaugural ceremony of the Community with a Shared Future for Mankind Foundation and his sharing of reflections on “Science, Technology, and Human Well‑being” vividly exemplify the close alignment of brain‑inspired intelligence research with serving the nation’s mission and enhancing human welfare. GDIIST will continue to respond to the calls of the era through scientific and technological innovation, contributing the power of science and technology to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

This article is compiled and adapted from relevant reports by China National Radio (CNR).