At the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum, China's brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and policy advances stole the show. Top officials and experts highlighted a future where smart tech meets breakthrough healthcare, energizing both the tech world and patient care.
During a BCI-themed session, Du Guangda, deputy director general of the Science and Technology Department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, emphasized how the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence is unlocking new dimensions in BCI. He announced plans to set clear industry goals by rolling out comprehensive guidelines and boosting top-level planning.
Lu Yong, vice president of the China National Institute for Food and Drug Control, revealed that a specialized expert group is being established to rework standards for BCI medical devices. A fast-track approval process will remove traditional red tape to accelerate innovation and ensure timely progress in this dynamic field.
But it’s not just about policy—groundbreaking research is making headlines too. In March 2025, China's domestically developed semi-invasive BCI system, Beinao-1, completed its third human implantation surgery in a collaboration across three leading hospitals. Stroke patients, individuals with ALS, and even a quadriplegic successfully controlled robotic limbs and communication devices, marking major milestones in medical rehabilitation.
In a parallel event themed "Technology for Disability Assistance," a biomedical engineering team from Fudan University stunned audiences by unveiling the world's first three-in-one brain-spinal interface technology. This innovation constructed a neural bridge between the brain and spinal cord, empowering four paraplegic patients to regain leg movement—with some trying to stand just 10 days after surgery! 🚀
These exciting developments underscore how the Chinese mainland is merging policy, research, and cutting-edge tech to revolutionize both industrial progress and healthcare. The energy at the ZGC Forum is a reminder that innovative solutions are only just beginning to reshape our future.
Reference(s):
China advances BCI research and policy at Zhongguancun Forum
cgtn.com
