Chongqing - Chongqing hosted the Third International Forum on Industry-University-Research Cooperation between Chongqing and the Countries along the China-Europe Railway Express on November 11.

The Third International Forum on Industry-University-Research Cooperation between Chongqing and the Countries along the China-Europe Railway Express kicked off on November 11 in Chongqing. (Photo/ Chongqing Jiaotong University)

The prestigious event brought together over 100 experts and scholars from nations including China, Kazakhstan, Hungary, France, and Poland. They discussed a new methodology for deeper ties between Chongqing and countries along the China-Europe Railway Express route.

I.Continued efforts in bridging Chongqing

with European opportunities

Huang Chengfeng, Vice President of Chongqing Jiaotong University. (Photo/ Chongqing Jiaotong University)

Hungary, represented by Balint Czegel, Consulate General of Hungary in Chongqing, stood out for its early involvement in the Belt and Road initiative. Czegel reinforced Hungary's commitment to supporting the realization of these cooperation goals, promising continued efforts in bridging Chongqing with European opportunities.

The forum also served as a platform to celebrate the successful completion of an electronic information skills training course for Kazakhstani educators. This moment underscored the practical outcomes of such international cooperation, furthering educational and professional skills across borders.

Balint Czegel, Consulate General of Hungary in Chongqing. (Photo/ Chongqing Jiaotong University)

II.Sustainable development of industrial cooperation

between Asia and Europe

Moreover, The forum featured 14 insightful keynote reports, each shedding light on different aspects of the Asia-Europe industrial cooperation.

Huang shared his vision for a new North-South Continental Bridge, a trade route initiative to revolutionize the current trading paths, shortening distances and cutting costs.

The General Manager of Yuxinou, Liu Taiping, took the audience through the company's decade-long journey in enhancing economic and trade development along the route. He also outlined Yuxinou's future strategies aligned with Chongqing's modern manufacturing cluster system and the national development plan.

Zhou Yan, Chief Representative of East Asia and South Asia Representative Office of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) highlighted the importance of diversified transport modes in strengthening supply chain resilience, mainly focusing on Central Asia's role in this dynamic.

III.Brainstorming enhances Chongqing's opening-up

Furthermore, the forum featured diverse perspectives essential for understanding the multifaceted nature of international cooperation.

Yu Yuanling, President of the School of International Education, Chongqing Jiaotong Univerasity, delivered an insightful analysis of the German Supply Chain Act. She explored this Act's potential effects on Chinese businesses and offered strategic advice on how these enterprises can effectively respond to the new legislative environment.

Liu Liying, assistant to the general manager of the overseas business department of SERES Group, narrated their transition from fuel vehicles to intelligent new energy vehicles, marking their journey in the Belt and Road market.

Adam Wojtaszek, Director of the Institute of Linguistics, College of Humanities, University of Silesia, discussed the fruitful educational cooperation between Polish and Chinese universities. At the same time, Abilkhasimova Aliya from Almaty Multidisciplinary College expressed hopes for deeper academic collaboration between Kazakhstan and China.

Lei Yang, an associate professor from the Center for European Studies at Chongqing Jiaotong University, analyzed Turkey's Middle Corridor initiative, underlining its potential to diversify China-Europe Railway Express routes.

The forum also reflected on the significant progress made over the decade. By September this year, China-Europe Railway Express connected 217 cities in 25 European countries with over 78,000 train journeys, moving more than 7.4 million TEUs of goods. The volume of goods transported in China-EU trade has grown from 1.5% in 2016 to 8% in 2022, marking a significant increase in China's trade value.

Wang Jianhua, Vice President of the China Industry-University-Research Collaboration Association, expressed confidence in the benefits of this deepening cooperation. He envisioned a future where integrating science, technology, innovation, and industry-university-research collaboration would substantially benefit the countries along the China-Europe Railway Express and the world.

The forum was co-organized by Chongqing Jiaotong University and Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd.