By REN Wei

Professor Chul B. Park, foreign academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering speaks at the event. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Linyi, located in Shandong province, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and splendid history. In addition to its past, the city is hard at work looking ahead, positioning itself as a region that is open to the world and more than ready to take on international sci-tech cooperation.

"I am aware that Linyi city has been making tremendous progress in its scientific and technological development. The city continues to improve its systems for talent cultivation and has created a fertile environment for innovation and entrepreneurship," said a renowned physicist and Nobel laureate Andre Geim in his recent remarks during the High-level Foreign Experts Exploring Shandong event on November 17, in Linyi.

Geim, a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at the University of Manchester, has been collaborating with Chinese scientists for more than two decades. His groundbreaking contributions to graphene research have played a pivotal role in driving rapid technological advancements in China, particularly in Linyi City, where a flourishing ecosystem for high-tech companies has emerged.

He hoped that Linyi's progress in high-tech industries would serve as a blueprint for economic and social development.

In order to further enhance international collaboration and foster innovation, the city aims to leverage this opportunity to improve supportive policies and optimize the innovation environment.

During the event, various activities were conducted, such as the unveiling of international joint laboratories, the signing of international cooperation project agreements, and the appointment of foreign experts for industrial cooperation.

Over 20 foreign experts and association representatives from countries including Canada, Russia, Germany, and Pakistan participated, along with more than 300 attendees including foreign experts, business representatives, and locals engaged in industrial discussions, site visits, and academic presentations.

According to the organizer of the event, Linyi's commitment to fostering international collaboration and technological innovation aligns with its ambition to become a global model for sustainable economic and social growth.

This article is contributed by Shandong Provincial Science and Technology Department.