About 10,000 items were presented by 300 foreign and domestic universities at the fair, in fields such as smart equipment, microelectronics, big data, stem cell, precision medicine, new energy and artificial intelligence.

About 2,500 items of technological innovations potentially in demand from the corporate sector were submitted, with 3,000 companies joining the fair.

Chinese universities have made marked progress in scientific research in the past three decades, with projects of universities accounting for 70 percent of the National Natural Science Funds and universities scooping up 70 percent of the three major national scientific and technological awards, according to Li Zhimin, director of the Science and Technology Development Center at the Ministry of Education.

The number of patent applications from universities has grown by double-digit rates annually in the past few years.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong brought its achievements in medical technologies and new materials to the fair, including a wearable exoskeleton suit for paralyzed individuals.

Wong Kam-fai, associate dean of engineering at the university, sees broad room for cooperation with enterprises and universities on the Chinese mainland.

The two sectors have different rhythms in their work, with many enterprises looking for quick returns and universities engaged in longer-term research. Better communication is key to productive interaction, and participation to fairs like the one in Huizhou is one effective way, he says.

Meanwhile, a website was launched during the fair to facilitate the promotion of scientific and technological achievements.