From June 21 to 22, the 2025 Yangtze Forum on Minimally and Non-Invasive Medicine, jointly hosted by the International Society of Minimally Invasive and Virtual Surgery (ISMIVS) and Chongqing Medical Association, convened in Chongqing, China. Co-organized by Chongqing Medical University and the Focused Ultrasound Therapy Branch of the Chongqing Medical Association, and supported by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the National Engineering Research Center of Ultrasound Medicine, the forum brought together over 500 medical experts and scholars from around the world.

This prestigious two-day conference, recognized as the largest and most influential international event in the field of minimally and non-invasive medicine, served as a vital platform to exchange ideas, promote global collaboration, and explore the future of innovative, patient-centered treatments.

Professor Zhang Zemin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Chongqing Medical University, opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of developing technologies that fulfill the dream of "pain-free surgery." He highlighted the university's long-term commitment to original innovation in High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and the cultivation of global clinical talent to lead the next generation of non-invasive therapies.

Professor Philippe Descamps, President of ISMIVS, reflected on his 40-year journey from early laparoscopic surgery to today’s breakthrough HIFU innovations. "HIFU is not just an evolution; it is a revolution. It provides truly non-invasive options where surgery was once inevitable," he said. "What we now need is high-quality clinical evidence and structured training to ensure its safety, effectiveness, and widespread application."

This year's forum featured one main venue and four sub-forums, delivering over 150 expert lectures across specialties including gynecology, oncology, breast surgery, neurology, rehabilitation, and more. International case competitions, young physician forums, academic debates, and hospital operation workshops further enriched the academic exchange. Themes such as "Innovation, Integration, Development" were at the heart of discussions, emphasizing the role of cross-disciplinary collaboration and industry-academia integration in accelerating clinical translation. From the evolution of techniques to the elevation of patient experience, the forum strongly aligned with the goals of the Healthy China 2030 strategy.

From open surgery to minimally invasive, and now to truly non-invasive techniques, minimally and non-invasive medicine reflects a profound shift in both clinical science and medical philosophy. It echoes humanity’s enduring pursuit of safer, more precise, and more compassionate care.

With Chinese HIFU technology setting a new global standard, the future of medicine is not only high-tech, but high-touch — and it's already happening.