The 26th Southern Congress of Cardiology (SCC 2025) with the 5th East Asia Society of Pulmonary Hypertension (5th EASOPH) were held in Guangzhou from March 21 to 23, 2025. Under the theme “Inheritance, Innovation, Collaboration, and Win-Win”, the event brought together leading figures including academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, renowned cardiovascular specialists, medical scientists, and researchers. Against the warm backdrop of spring, participants shared practical experiences and innovative ideas, building a solid bridge for the exchange of cardiovascular thought and practice. The Congress also showcased the remarkable achievements of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital since its selection five years ago as one of the first “High-Level Construction Hospitals”, injecting new momentum into high-quality development driven by science and technology.

The conference was chaired by President Yu Xueqing, Prof. Lin Shuguang, and Prof. Zhuang Jian of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. Distinguished guests included academicians Hu Shengshou, Han Yaling, Yang Baofeng, Li Xiaokun, Liu Chao, Chen Yihan, Ge Junbo, Gu Dongfeng, and Wang Jian’an; Prof. Ma Changsheng, Chairman of Chinese Society of Cardiology; Huang Fei, President of the Guangdong Medical Association; Prof. Zhou Lin, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital; as well as fellow conference co-chairs, leaders from national and provincial medical and physician associations in cardiology, Changjiang Scholars, recipients of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and Excellent Young Scientists, and all hospital leaders present in Guangzhou.

Gathering of Esteemed Experts: A Meeting Under the Kapok Blossoms

Prof. Chen Jimei Presided Over the Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was hosted by Prof. Chen Jimei, Executive Chair of the Congress and Director of the Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute. After 26 years of continuous effort, the spirit and vision of the Southern Congress of Cardiology continue to be passed on. Twenty key witnesses, participants, and torchbearers—both veterans and newcomers—took the stage, touching the screen together to officially inaugurate this year’s Congress.

Addresses delivered by President Yu Xueqing, Prof. Lin Shuguang, President Huang Fei, and Prof. Ma Changsheng, each enriching the conference with insights from different perspectives.

President Yu highlighted that Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital has advanced into the A++ tier in the most recent performance evaluation of tertiary public hospitals, solidifying its position among the top tier of public hospitals nationwide. He acknowledged the hard work and impressive achievements of the cardiovascular specialty, including a significant increase in cardiac surgery volume and new breakthroughs in pulmonary hypertension treatment under the leadership of Prof. Jing Zhicheng in the Department of Cardiology. Looking ahead, President Yu emphasized: “Health is an eternal theme. Our hospital will continue to lead with high-quality development and contribute Guangdong’s strength to Healthy China Initiative.”

Prof. Lin Shuguang expressed full recognition of the years of dedicated effort made by Prof. Tan Ning from the Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, in organizing the Southern Congress of Cardiology. He encouraged all colleagues to continue scaling new heights in medical science to further contribute to public health.

President Huang Fei stated: “Moving forward, the Guangdong Medical Association will deepen collaboration with the Southern Congress of Cardiology and various stakeholders to explore new methods and pathways for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, contributing to the advancement of cardiovascular medicine in China.”

Prof. Ma Changsheng acknowledged the efforts and accomplishments of Prof. Feng Yingqing from the Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute in the field of primary prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. He also recognized the strong support given by Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital in grassroots cardiovascular disease prevention as part of its “Summit Plan” for high-level hospital construction.

“Massive” Release of Excellent Content, “Comprehensive” Display of Diverse Appeal

If the “Keynote Forum” led by esteemed academicians first lit up the academic sky of the Southern Congress of Cardiology, the subsequent 92 thematic sessions unfolded like blooming petals. From theory to practice, and from basic to advanced topics, a fresh academic atmosphere permeated every venue.

Highlight 1: “Keynote Forum” Outlines a “Galaxy Map” of Disciplinary Breakthroughs

In the “Keynote Forum,” eight academicians, including Hu Shengshou, along with President Yu Xueqing, formed a “super lineup of intellects,” offering a feast of academic thought that sketched a “galaxy map” of innovation and breakthroughs by Chinese cardiovascular professionals.

Nine keynote speeches covered multiple critical areas within cardiovascular medicine. In basic and translational research, topics included breakthroughs in the cardiac endogenous neurotransmitter system and cardiovascular disease genomics. Presentations on clinical advances focused on the latest progress in anti-thrombosis therapy for coronary heart disease and mitral valve edge-to-edge repair. The forum also explored high-quality, low-cost diagnosis and training models, discussed AI-powered innovations such as smart healthcare and intravascular imaging, and touched upon interdisciplinary research in nephrology.

Highlight 2: Concurrent Holding of the 5TH EASOPH, Sharing Asian Experience in Pulmonary Hypertension

The 5TH EASOPH was a major highlight of the Congress. Established in 2019 by scholars from multiple Asian countries and regions to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, the East Asian Society of Pulmonary Hypertension (EASOPH) has been promoting developments in this field through various activities. During the Congress, experts from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan China, and mainland China exchanged views on key clinical issues and the latest research, fostering collaboration and progress in the field.

Highlight 3: Integration of Multiple Disciplines and Fields, Unlocking Rapidly Evolving Developments

A specially planned session, “JACC: Asia @ SCC2025 - Focus on Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Innovation,” addressed the most cutting-edge and hot-button innovation topics, offering a prospective look at global trends in cardiovascular science. Additionally, areas such as cardiovascular pharmacology, artificial intelligence and wearable devices, cardiac rehabilitation, integrated heart-brain-kidney treatment, ventricular assist devices, and heart transplantation intersected and collided, delivering numerous high-level academic discussions.

Highlight 4: Focusing on Grassroots and Young Doctors, Addressing Frontline Clinical Needs

This year’s Congress maintained its focus on grassroots training and the growth of young doctors. Through events like the “2nd Southern Cup ECG Competition,” various skill workshops, and outstanding paper exchanges, the Congress enhanced the participation and sense of achievement among grassroots and young physicians, helping to elevate their professional standards.

The conference also used charitable funds to sponsor 23 participants from partner grassroots hospitals and supported counterpart assistance hospitals. Party-building activities were conducted during the conference, adding impetus to the “Hundreds, Thousands, and Tens of Thousands Project.”

The 2nd Southern Cup ECG Competition in Full Swing

Gathering Collective Wisdom and Reaping Abundant Academic Results

Over the three-day event, the Congress attracted 9,075 registered attendees, with a total of 17,463 offline participations and 27,920 online participations. The official website received 726,894 page views. The academic program encompassed 53 fields, 92 sub-forums, and 160 sessions. A total of 1,951 experts from home and abroad were invited to share knowledge and experience. The event featured 9 keynote speeches, 1,278 presentations, and 15 live surgery broadcasts. A total of 597 papers were submitted, with 41 selected for oral presentation and 106 for poster presentation. These impressive figures reflect the academic vibrancy of the Congress. During the closing ceremony, awards were presented for outstanding papers, the 2nd Southern Cup ECG Competition, and the Young Investigators of the 5th EASOPH.

Speech by Prof. Jing Zhicheng at the Closing Ceremony

Looking to the future, Prof. Jing Zhicheng, Executive Chairman of the Congress, outlined 3 future directions in the closing address: First, we should attract and encourage young scholars, especially graduate students, to actively submit papers and participate. Second, we should enhance the distinctive characteristics of the Greater Bay Area and elevate the international profile of the Congress. Third, we should continuously rejuvenate and vitalize the event. He stated: “We hope the Southern Congress of Cardiology can better integrate resources, serve as a bridge for communication among all parties, and contribute more wisdom and strength to the development of cardiovascular health.”

Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute

Updated: March 31, 2025