At around 4 p.m. local time in the UK on May 29, during the closing ceremony of the 2025 the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Conference, the official handover ceremony for the hosting rights of the conference took place, with the "baton" formally passed to Shanghai, China. This major event in the global field of science communication will be held in China for the first time since its inception in 1989. At the handover ceremony, the promotional film for the PCST 2027 Conference, titled Why Shanghai, made its global premiere, triggering thunderous applause on site. Attendees expressed their longing and anticipation for gathering in Shanghai in 2027.

The promotional film Why Shanghai for the PCST 2027 Conference was created over a period of more than half a year by a team from the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. With a runtime of 4 minutes and 27 seconds, the film uniquely unfolds through the perspective of Jiang Bincheng, a Wa ethnic student from Lincang, Yunnan Province, who is pursuing an integrated undergraduate, master's, and doctoral program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Through three major sections - "Shanghai, where tradition meets innovation," "Shanghai, where the symbiosis of industries fuels creativity," and "Shanghai, where diverse cultures thrive" - the film vividly showcases Shanghai's unique charm and outstanding allure as a global hub for scientific and technological innovation and a city steeped in Shanghai-style culture.

The Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Conference is held biennially and serves as one of the most significant international platforms for global practitioners, educators, and researchers in the field of science communication. It integrates academic discussions with professional practices, encompassing presentations of scientific research achievements, reflections on practical experiences, as well as interactive workshops and demonstrations. Participants collectively explore the ever-evolving and complex relationships between science, technology, and society, while reflecting on the increasingly intertwined interactions between science communication research and practice.

Themed "Science Communication for a Shared Future: Engage, Empower, Enlighten," the PCST 2027 Conference focuses on the pivotal role of science communication in shaping a better and more inclusive common future for humanity. People from various sectors will gather to discuss how science communication can enhance public understanding of science, bridge the cognitive gap, and continuously inspire human imagination and the spirit of exploration. While showcasing China's wisdom in science communication, they will jointly map out a new vision for future science communication.

On May 26, a delegation from the Shanghai host organization, led by Luo Dajin, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, traveled to Aberdeen, Scotland, to attend the PCST 2025 Conference alongside several members of the host organization, including Ni Minjing, Director of the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum; Xu Jian, Vice Dean (in charge) of the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Li Hui, Director of the Science and Society Research Office at the Shanghai Institute for Science of Science.

Earlier, on April 14, 2023, after a fierce competition, a delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University successfully secured the hosting rights for the PCST 2027 Conference. This marks the first time that this prestigious global event in the field of science communication will be held in China since its inception in 1989.

In 2027, global wisdom will converge on the banks of the Huangpu River to collectively explore how the power of science communication can better serve the common well-being of humanity, social equity and justice, and the sustainable development of the planet.