The China International Equipment Manufacturing Expo, now under way in Shenyang, has showcased a wide array of cutting-edge technologies and the transformation of one of China's oldest industrial bases.
From industrial machine tools to honing machines to intelligent robots, innovation is everywhere at this year's China International Equipment Manufacturing Expo in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Spanning 100,000 square meters, the expo features 12 themed exhibition zones and brings together more than 1,000 companies from China and abroad.
"We've brought four products to this year's expo. They represent our continuous efforts to develop new technologies and products. Let me tell you about the model behind me. It's a cutting-edge compressor unit system we've developed for large-scale ethylene plants. We've supplied a complete set of these compressor units to the world's largest ethylene facility, which processes 1.8 million tons annually. After years of research on key technologies, we've gone from catching up to leading in the field," said Meng Lei, head of brand marketing and project management department of ShenGu Group Co., Ltd.
And that's exactly what overseas buyers have come to see - what Chinese manufacturing can really do.
"It's my second time in Shenyang. I was here a few years ago and I can see big changes. I would like to see more about agriculture, more about robots," said Sava Bekvalac, a Serbian visitor.
"In Russia, there is a very high demand in different regions for the tools and machines, also for compartments. I came here today to see if we have any opportunities for cooperation," said Aleksei Robionov, a Russian visitor.
And the story here reflects something bigger. As one of China's oldest industrial bases, Shenyang is leveraging its industrial heritage. Guided by policy and supported by targeted investment, the city is transforming traditional manufacturing into higher-end, smarter, and more eco-friendly production.
"When I compare Shenyang today and Shenyang, maybe 15, 20 years ago, when I came first time to Shenyang, it's two different worlds. That time when I came to Shenyang, we were talking about how to produce machine tools and how can we produce many machine tools. Today we are talking about high quality global expansion. Shenyang has a great potential. Almost all kinds of industries are presented in Shenyang long time. And combining these industries with digitalization, with artificial intelligence, with digital twins, automation, I think Shenyang has a big future," said Omer Sahin Ganiusufoglu, an academician from German Academy of Science and Engineering.
Shenyang holds great potential. Almost all types of industry have long existed in the city. By combining these industries with digitalization, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and automation, Shenyang is poised for a great future, also on a global scale.
Shenyang transforms traditional manufacturing into higher-end production
After more than three months at sea, members of China's 16th Arctic Ocean expedition have jointly created a painting that captures both the triumphs and trials of polar scientific research.
Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the expedition deployed four ships, Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi, and Tansuo 3, to study extreme environmental changes in the Arctic against the backdrop of accelerating global warming. On September 29, Xuelong and Xuelong 2 returned to Shanghai after completing their missions.
During the voyage, China Media Group (CMG) reporters aboard Xuelong invited nearly 100 crew members to collaborate on a canvas, sharing their experiences. The painting depicts the difficulties and challenges they faced, the honors and expectations of their research, and the images of those dedicated to science.
Before any crew member ever picked up a brush, the Arctic had already sketched the background with its extreme weather. Strong winds, torrents, and a harsh environment posed major challenges for the researchers.
"After staying outside for some five or ten minutes, our hands would already be frozen red. When we reached the trough of the waves [on a boat], it would look as if the waves were coming right over our heads," recalled Zhu Chengwei, an expedition member.
Despite the hardship, the researchers successfully tested and used domestically produced advanced ocean observation equipment in polar research -- one of their proudest moments, which they recorded on the canvas.
Qin Chuan, captain of the Xuelong ocean team, chose to paint a domestically produced monitor float.
"This is an Argo float we deployed, which automatically monitors ocean profiles. It has great significance for understanding the basic marine environment, and it's made in China," he said.
Xie Haixiang, director of the Xuelong laboratory, sketched a fundamental research equipment for the trip.
"I will draw a CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth instrument). The CTD is the most important equipment for ocean surveys, providing the most basic data and water samples," he said.
"Only by carrying equipment onto the Arctic sea ice yourself and lowering the instruments, can you get what you want. For instance, we take a little ocean water, and analyze what's in it, to understand the changes each year. Global warming needs to be understood through different dimensions," recalled researcher Zhu.
Beyond the canvas, what stands out even more striking are the moments of dedication: veteran members leading newcomers onto the ice, a group holding its ground in level-8 gales and heavy snow, and 30 people relaying to recover equipment stuck in the ice.
The most important element, beyond any record or image in the painting, is this group of expedition members who fear no hardship.
"Whenever I think of the polar spirit, countless images of those standing at the very front would flash before my eyes," Zhu said.
"What we have done today will benefit future generations. Although we are doing something that may seem very insignificant, I believe it will surely prove its worth in the future,"said Ning Wenfeng, another team member.
China's 16th Arctic expedition crews paint portrait of proud polar expedition moments, hardships
