BEIJING — China's 20th National Science and Technology Week, a seven-day science popularization event, ended on Aug 30 in Wuhan, Hubei province, receiving more than 500 million online visits, according to its organizer.

Themed "prevailing over an epidemic with sci-tech, and empowering the country with innovation", this year's event featured both online and offline activities. The number of visits has exceeded 630 million, including 520 million online, sources with the Ministry of Science and Technology said Aug 31.

With technologies such as VR and 5G, a "cloud exhibition hall", which was launched for the first time, attracted more than 5 million online hits over the past week, offering the public a glance at China's innovations in poverty alleviation and the fight against COVID-19. The Hubei venue alone carried out 1,149 science popularization activities, receiving 2.25 million visits.

Launched in 2001, the National Science and Technology Week has been held for 20 consecutive sessions, becoming China's most influential event to popularize science among ordinary people.