From November 12 to 15, a joint delegation of 18 political and business representatives from seven countries (Slovenia, Romania, Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Serbia) paid a three-day visit to Chengdu. During the visit, the delegation gained insights into Chengdu’s new quality productive forces and high-level opening up. Additionally, the delegation attended the Belt and Road China (Chengdu)-CEEC Business Dialogue, which facilitated mutual matchmaking of competitive industries and fostered pragmatic cooperation for mutual benefit.

 

The delegation visits Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall.

 

On the morning of November 13, the delegation first visited Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall, where the representatives gained a detailed understanding of Chengdu’s urban planning strategies and its systematic arrangements for science and technology innovation, green and low-carbon sectors, opening up and cooperation, and other areas through sandbox demonstration and interactive presentation.

 

“Chengdu’s development is both historically profound and future-oriented,” Ivan Racan, Member of Parliament of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia, Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, and Member of the Croatia-China Friendship Group, shared during the visit. “There are numerous cities with a long history in the world, but not all of them showcase their future to the world. Chengdu, a city with 4,500 years of civilization and over 2,000 years of history as an established city, is brimming with forward-looking energy.”

 

The delegation visits Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall

 

Following the visit to Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall, the delegation visited Sichuan Aerofugia Technology Development Co., Ltd., where they observed the prototype demonstration of a commercial manned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

 

The delegation visits Sichuan Aerofugia Technology Development Co., Ltd.

 

Watching the manned eVTOL aircraft, Ivan Racan expressed his astonishment: “There is no commercially available product of this kind anywhere in the world, only military versions. This could possibly be the world’s first commercial eVTOL aircraft, which is truly remarkable.”He believed that if the Chengdu team can develop a safe, stable, and commercially reliable product, it would mean that Chengdu is globally competitive.

 

The delegation visits Sichuan Aerofugia Technology Development Co., Ltd.

 

On the afternoon of November 13, the delegation visited Dongfang Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park and SINOTECH Company Limited to learn about Chengdu’s strategies for new energy and intelligent manufacturing sectors.

 

The delegation visits Dongfang Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park.

 

Notably, during the delegation’s visit to Dongfang Electric Fuel Cell Technology Co., Ltd., Miroslav Gregoric, Member of Parliament of Svoboda and Chair of the Slovenia-China Friendship Group of the National Assembly of Slovenia, took notes with a notebook and a pen while asking questions, nodding frequently. He persistently inquired about technical details, such as hydrogen energy costs and leakage monitoring, which General Manager Zhang Zhang answered one by one: “In Sichuan, a kilogram of hydrogen costs approximately RMB 30 and can generate 17 kWh of electricity.” In a focused and lively atmosphere, they engaged in an in-depth exchange on hydrogen production efficiency, safety measures, and other topics.

 

The delegation visits SINOTECH Company Limited.

 

“What we have seen here are not only research projects in labs but also tangible outcomes of scientific achievements in practice.” Following the visit, Miroslav Gregoric noted that the company comprehensively demonstrated a complete industrial chain “from basic research to industrial application”, adding, “The speed at which innovation is genuinely translated into productivity is something Europe admires. I am confident that we will have ample room for future cooperation in scientific research and commercialization.”

 

The delegation visits Dongfang Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park.

 

“Chengdu is a tech-driven city abundant in lush greenery,” Meira Hot, the head of the delegation, Vice Chair of Social Democrats of Slovenia, and Vice President of the National Assembly of Slovenia, remarked in an interview. “Chengdu properly manages the balance of modernity and ecological conservation in its urban planning. Although Slovenia is known as the Green Country, the proportion of parks and green spaces, as well as the urban vitality, is equally impressive. What we have seen is a city brimming with happiness and vigor.”

 

On November 14, the delegation headed to Qingbaijiang District to visit Chengdu International Railway Port and Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu) Trading Center. The visit injected new vitality into deepening cooperation in logistics, trade, and the cold chain industry.

 

The delegation visits Chengdu International Railway Port.

 

At Chengdu International Railway Port Exhibition Center, the delegation took a detailed look at the development plans, railway service efficiency, and channel development of the railway port. Upon learning about the ongoing efforts to launch the Chengdu-Europe-Africa DPD Express, China’s first logistics product operating on a regular basis, and its role in further enhancing the logistics network connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, the delegation expressed high recognition of the port’s strengths as a strategic hub.

 

The delegation visits Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu) Trading Center.

 

At Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu) Trading Center, the delegation learned about the construction of cold chain logistics infrastructure, the efficiency of product circulation, and the potential for agricultural product trade with CEECs. The representatives commended the robust infrastructure foundation and efficient operations in the cold chain logistics industry.

 

Head of Central Branch of Slovenian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed hope that Slovenia will join this network of logistics and transport in the future, considering Europe’s reputation for its high-quality agricultural products and foods, as well as its significant potential for cooperation in this field.

 

The delegation visits Kuanzhai Alley.

 

Additionally, the delegation visited Kuanzhai Alley, immersing themselves in the happy life of local residents and experiencing the unique charm of Chengdu, where history and modernity intertwine. During the visit to the Eastern Suburb Memory at night, the representatives learned about distinctive urban renewal programs and witnessed the vibrancy of Chengdu’s nighttime economy. A visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding allowed the delegation to fulfill their panda-watching dreams, and they highly praised China’s achievements in giant panda conservation and its efforts to enhance the ecological environment.

 

The delegation visits the Eastern Suburb Memory.

 

The representatives unanimously expressed that their visit to Chengdu provided them with a chance to witness Chinese modernization in urban development, Chengdu’s identity as an open and inclusive city, and its dynamic vitality. They were confident that Chengdu and CEECs share broad cooperation potential forscience and technology innovation, green energy, cultural tourism, and other areas, and both sides will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation to jointly usher in a promising future.

 

The delegation visits Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: Chengdu Discovery