Nearly 10,000 young competitors from China, Bulgaria, Georgia, South Korea, South Africa, and other countries gathered in Zhengzhou, Henan province, over the weekend for the 2025-2026 Invention Convention China (ICC) National Finals.

Entries revolved around global-themed categories, such as a low-carbon future, sustainable communities, biodiversity conservation, future transportation, and intelligent manufacturing.

The competition's results are being determined by a three-judge panel that reviews each entry from multiple angles to preserve a fair competition environment. The results will be released next week.

Zhou Jianzhong, chair of the ICC judging committee, said the mind of a child is less restricted than an adult's. As their ideas naturally emerge, they are more inclined to follow their curiosity. As such, he believes, scientific research has no age limits.

Nor does it have borders, according to Xu Ciming, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, who highlighted that children from around the world had entered projects into the competition that reflect their observations of social life and creative solutions to real-world problems.

Ramiro Cruz, Nicaragua's Ambassador to China, echoed that sentiment, saying, "It was encouraging to see children from across the globe join the event, reflecting China's inclusive approach toward new technologies and inventions."

Among the competitors was Liu Kaiyuan, an 11-year-old from Shanghai, who presented a light-chasing simulator for space stations. "Through exploration, I learned about light-tracking principles. I also learned about the precision, rigor, and constant refinement behind aerospace engineering work," Liu said.

Chen Ailin, 38, saw both of her children present projects of their own. They created an intelligent drinking-safety device and an alarm for notifying about water temperature. "The concept grew from visits to local nursing homes," Chen said. "They asked me many questions."

Ji Yongjun, vice secretary-general of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, described the event as a platform for young innovators to chase scientific dreams and contribute youthful insights toward building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Zhang Rui