Lingnan University signs agreements with Rizhao City and Shandong Hi-Speed Group there to foster closer partnerships in green, low-carbon, and AI development

HONG KONG, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lingnan University signed multiple significant strategic cooperation framework agreements yesterday (28 May) with Rizhao City, Shandong Province, Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co, Ltd. (Shandong Hi-Speed Group), Shandong Huge Dental Material Co., Ltd., and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI). These collaborations aim to leverage each party's unique strengths in talent, research, and industry. Lingnan will conduct research projects with partner institutions, promote collaborative innovation, develop new quality productive forces, establish new research and development (R&D) institutions, accelerate the commercialisation of technological achievements, and cultivate a new generation of exceptional talent.

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, was invited to attend the "Shandong-Hong Kong Opening-up and Cooperation, Technology Innovation for a Shared Future" 2024 Shandong-Hong Kong Technology Innovation Cooperation Conference, and delivered a speech where he said, "Lingnan University and Shandong Province share common development goals in sustainable development, green and low-carbon, and AI. The implementation of these pragmatic cooperation measures will strongly promote the exchange and deep integration of innovation elements between Shandong and Hong Kong, further accelerating the growth of new technologies and industries, and injecting vitality into new quality productivity. We look forward to having this agreement as a new starting point to advance Shandong-Hong Kong cooperation in broader fields, at higher levels, and to greater depths, making new and greater contributions to the economic and social development of both regions."

In the presence of witnesses Mr Lin Wu, Secretary of CPC Shandong Province Committee, and Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Prof Qin, Dr Daniel Shi, Vice President of Advanced Electronic Components and Systems of ASTRI, Mr Wang Qifeng, Chairman of Shandong Hi-Speed Group, and Li Zaiwu, Municipal Party Secretary of Rizhao each signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The signature of these strategic cooperation framework agreements marks an important milestone in Lingnan's integration into national development, including the establishment of the Lingnan University-Shandong Research Institute, creating a demonstration area for new quality productive forces driven by zero-carbon/ negative-carbon and smart technologies. Collaborations will be carried out in key projects such as green and low-carbon, AI, new materials, and biomedicine. Efforts will be made to implement technologies such as distributed CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage), and to promote the commercialisation of Lingnan's achievements in carbon capture materials, stimulating the development of outstanding enterprises, as well as creating a new green and low-carbon brand for Shandong.

In the afternoon, a delegation from Rizhao City visited Lingnan University for a discussion and exchange session, and representatives from Lingnan and the Shandong Huge Dental Material Co., Ltd. held a signing ceremony for their collaboration on the development of new dental materials based on AI technology.

A major economic and carbon-emitting province in China, Shandong is steadily reaching its carbon emissions peak, and will soon become carbon neutral. It actively implements the important discourse of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, concerning the development of new quality productive forces. Shandong is vigorously promoting the conversion of old and new growth drivers, strongly cultivating and developing strategic emerging and future industries, and accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces, leading the nation in important developments. Recently, President Xi visited Rizhao to learn about local efforts in promoting the intelligent and green construction of ports and expanding the market. Lingnan hopes that these strategic cooperation framework agreements with the Shandong Provincial Government and enterprises will bring new opportunities for collaborative innovation and the integration of government, industry, academia, research, and applications.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Lingnan University signs agreements with Rizhao City and Shandong Hi-Speed Group there to foster closer partnerships in green, low-carbon, and AI development

More than 900 companies and 10,000-plus exhibits bring China's smart manufacturing value chains to life

HEFEI, China, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention opened Sept. 20 at the Hefei Binhu International Convention and Exhibition Center, where a humanoid robot landed a pitch-pot throw, an inspection robot patrolled and an electric cargo drone demonstrated vertical takeoff and landing at Luogang Park.

Running through Sept. 23 under the theme "Intelligent Manufacturing for a Better Future," the 70,000-square-meter convention allocates 20,000 square meters to manufacturing innovation and achievements and 50,000 to commercial exhibits. More than 900 companies present 10,000-plus products and technologies.

Organizers structured the exhibition around manufacturing value chains.

In the smart mining equipment area, a three-dimensional cutaway model showcases Huainan's mining robotics cluster, anchored by T.SPEC and Tangxing Technology. It recreates the workflow from underground roadway development to shaft hoisting and demonstrates eight core applications, including excavation and roof support, roadway tunneling, materials and pipe handling, hydraulic-support transport, shaft-rope replacement and coal-bunker cleaning, with every equipment model shown in operation.

The manufacturing innovation and achievements pavilion features a 180-qubit superconducting quantum processor; BEST, the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak, or "artificial sun," being developed as a pathway toward fusion energy; the Lingjing Zaowu AI research platform from the Scientific Intelligence Materials Creation Center; solid-state transformers; and a ground-based planetary-environment simulation facility. Bringing together quantum technologies, hydrogen and fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied AI, 6G and advanced materials—all requiring sustained R&D—the pavilion reflects manufacturing's shift from scale-driven expansion to innovation-led growth.

The exhibits move beyond products to present interconnected manufacturing ecosystems.

The smart and connected vehicle area spans finished vehicles, EV batteries, automotive semiconductors and by-wire chassis systems. The next-generation information technology and clean-energy zone covers power infrastructure for AI, computing capacity, human-machine interfaces and AI-enabled applications. Biomanufacturing exhibits trace development from gene editing, cell-factory R&D and pilot-scale optimization to intelligent high-volume production and commercial deployment.

Guest province Sichuan is highlighting regional manufacturing collaboration under the theme "Smart Manufacturing in Tianfu, Connected to Global Value Chains." The international zone features multinationals, including Continental Tires and Corning Display Technologies, and China-based joint ventures. The United Kingdom is the first country to return as guest country of honor.

In the technology-enabled senior care area, Anhui Longchuang Intelligent Technology demonstrated millimeter-wave radar that detects falls and alerts family members and nearby care or emergency teams without a call for help. In bedrooms, an alert delay of about one minute prevents ordinary movements, including bending or squatting, from generating false alarms. The company's smart-space management platform serves more than 50,000 senior care facilities and homes.

From components to advanced equipment, the convention tracks China's transition from "Made in China" to "Smart Manufacturing in China." In the first seven months of 2026, Anhui produced 2.0158 million vehicles, including 1.0903 million electric vehicles, and exported 1.227 million, ranking among China's leaders across several measures. The figures offer evidence of the transformation underway.

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

2026 World Manufacturing Convention: From Product Displays to Integrated Manufacturing Ecosystems