On December 30, the China-France Future Industrial Cooperation Forum, hosted by the Center for International Economic and Technological Cooperation of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and organized by the French Alliance for the Industry of the Future and the Sino-French Engineer School of Beihang University, was held at Beihang University.
The forum marks a significant step in implementing the consensus on strengthening China-France future industrial cooperation reached by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and France’s Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty at the 10th meeting of the China-France Joint Commission on Industrial Cooperation.
Bai Jie, Deputy Director of the High-Tech Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Zheng Hong, Director of the Center for International Economic and Technological Cooperation of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Zhao Weisheng, Vice President of Beihang University, and Zhu Xiaoming, Representative of the Ambassador of the French Alliance for the Industry of the Future in China, attended the forum and delivered speeches.
In his address, Bai Jie noted that future industries will be the most dynamic force for global economic growth, and technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, bio-manufacturing and green energy will create innovative business models with high growth potential. China is willing to enhance cooperation with the French side in the field of future industries, especially in aspects such as future technologies and future application scenarios. He hoped that the two sides will effectively implement the “China-France Future Industrial Cooperation Initiative” under the framework of the China-France Joint Commission on Industrial Cooperation, and continue to explore new highlights in future industry cooperation by combining activities such as the “Local Tours for International Cooperation in Future Industries.”
Zheng Hong said that the China-France Joint Commission on Industrial Cooperation has conducted in-depth exchanges on topics such as automobiles, green manufacturing, artificial intelligence, raw materials and future industries, greatly promoting policy communication, industrial docking and project cooperation in the industrial fields of the two countries. The Center for International Economic and Technological Cooperation has actively provided a platform for China-France industrial cooperation, enhancing the construction of an industrial cooperation network and continuously advancing demonstration projects for the two country's industrial cooperation. The center will implement the consensus reached by two countries on future industry cooperation, continuously build a high-quality cooperation platform, innovate cooperation models, and create new highlights for future industry cooperation, so as to inject strong impetus into the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.
Zhao Weisheng mentioned that in 2024, Beihang has made significant progress in exchanges and cooperation with French universities and enterprises. Beihang has organized two major educational forums and achievement exhibitions in Paris and Beijing jointly with the Groupe des Écoles Centrales, which were attended by China’s Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, numerous Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, academicians, among others, achieving excellent social impact. Beihang and the Groupe des Écoles Centrales jointly commemorated the 20th anniversary of signing the agreement to establish the Sino-French Engineer School at Beihang University and inaugurated the China-France Carbon Neutrality Joint Laboratory. Zhao also highlighted that 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Beihang’s collaboration with French institutions. He welcomed more exchanges and cooperation between French enterprises and Beihang University.
Zhu Xiaoming emphasized that the French Alliance for the Industry of the Future will continue to promote the steady development of the China-France cooperation platform, and actively organize industrial, academic, research, and financial exchanges between the two sides. They aim to promote and disseminate cooperative projects, cases, and best practices between China and France, ensuring that the fruits of industrial cooperation benefit more enterprises.
Geng Lisheng, Dean of the Sino-French Engineer School from the Chinese side, stated that in 2025, the school will leverage the outstanding faculty and top-tier disciplines of Beihang and the Groupe des Écoles Centrales to build a platform for the two country's technological cooperation in future industries and a policy research center. Beihang also seeks to cultivate talents urgently needed for future industries and invites enterprises to engage in deeper exchanges and cooperation. Adnane Boukamel, Dean of Sino-French Engineer School from the French side, also participated in the event.
During the forum, industry experts including Feng Shenghua, Technical Director of Dassault Systèmes, Li Xin, Vice President of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications for Thales China, Zhang Xiaobo, Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategy at Veolia Group, Bao Zhenning, General Manager of Schlumberger’s Beijing Geoscience Center, along with representatives from Chinese enterprises like COMAC, CECEP Data, China Mobile Research Institute, and Sinoma Kasonic Robotics, shared insights on six key areas: future manufacturing, information technology, energy, space exploration, materials, and health. These discussions focused on the cutting-edge trends and innovative practices in future industries.
Approximately 100 attendees from local governments, enterprises, and research institutions in Beijing, Shenyang, Chengdu, Xiamen, and other regions participated in the forum.
Editors: Lyu Xingyun, Han Xu
