XU Chunrong, Head of the 2nd Department of Equipment Manufacturing Industry,

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of People’s Republic of China

Harbin, August 23, 2024

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to join you all in the beautiful city of Harbin for the 7th International Conference on Innovation and Cooperation in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The hosting of this conference by Harbin Engineering University is of great significance for building a global platform for innovation and cooperation in the field of shipbuilding and ocean engineering. Here, on behalf of the 2nd Department of Equipment Manufacturing Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the successful convening of the conference and express my sincere gratitude to friends from all sectors at home and abroad who have long been concerned with and supported the development of China’s shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment!

In October 2023, at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President XI Jinping pointed out that humanity is an interdependent community with a shared future. The world will be better, and China will be better as a result; China will be better, and the world will be even better. President XI Jinping emphasized that the blue planet we inhabit is not divided into isolated islands by oceans, but rather connected into a community with a shared future by them. Looking back at the history of China’s shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment, we are not only beneficiaries of the practice of open and shared development but also defenders of the commitment to open and shared development.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with relevant departments, has deeply promoted the new type of industrialization and accelerated the development of new quality productive forces. The high-quality development of China’s shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment has significantly accelerated, achieving positive results, and the international market share has been leading for many years. Breakthroughs have been made in a batch of national important equipment such as large cruise ships, large LNG ships, the “Jidi” ice-breaking scientific research ships, the “Fendouzhe” manned deep-sea submersible with a depth of 10,000 meters, and the “Shenhaiyihao”, the world’s first 100,000-Ton Class Deep-Water Semi-Submersible Production and Storage Oil Platform. This indicates that China has taken a new step in building a strong maritime and manufacturing country. At the same time, China unswervingly promotes high-level opening up to the outside world, actively fulfills international obligations, deeply participates in the affairs of the International Maritime Organization and the International Standardization Organization, and has made important contributions to global maritime governance and system construction.

In the new era and on the new journey, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will strengthen the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, promote the deep integration of the real economy with the digital economy, shape new dynamics and advantages, and lead the construction of a modern industrial system with scientific and technological innovation. The Ministry will also enhance global industrial and technological cooperation, break down barriers, share resources, and jointly promote the high-quality development of global shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment.

First, we will strengthen innovation-driven development to create a technological highland in the shipbuilding industry. We will deeply implement industrial technology re-engineering projects and key technical equipment development projects, adhere to demand and scenario-driven approaches, focus on the significant needs of marine economic development, and target the frontier directions of green and intelligent technologies. We will aim to break through basic common technologies and core technologies in key fields, enhance collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and practical application, promote complementary advantages, accelerate the transformation and application of scientific research results, and continuously enhance the technological innovation capabilities of the industry.

Second, we will promote industrial upgrading to achieve high-end, intelligent, and green development. To seize the opportunities for intelligent and green development, a green development action outline for the shipbuilding industry will be published. This will accelerate the green transformation of the shipbuilding industry’s product systems, manufacturing systems, and supply chain systems, promoting the ecological design of products, the cleanliness of production processes, and the efficient use of energy. The digital transformation of the shipbuilding industry will be accelerated, vigorously promoting the “quality improvement and rapid transformation” of the industry. The integration and application of new information technologies such as 5G, industrial internet, and artificial intelligence will be promoted, and the development of green and intelligent ships will be vigorously pursued.

Third, we will focus on talent cultivation to provide support for industrial development. We will promote the integrated development of industry, education, science and technology, and talent. We support universities such as Harbin Engineering University to build top-tier disciplines in shipbuilding and ocean engineering, and build a batch of key laboratories of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, such as deep-sea engineering equipment and advanced ship power. We will promote discipline construction and talent training in shipbuilding and ocean engineering. Efforts will be made to cultivate top technical talents who can advance disruptive technological breakthroughs, and to foster scientists, scientific and technological experts, and innovative teams who can lead the development of the industry.

Fourth, we will adhere to opening up and cooperation to create a mutually beneficial development environment. We will unswervingly promote high-level opening up to the outside world, support advanced foreign equipment enterprises, universities, and research institutes to invest and cooperate in China, share development opportunities, and realize mutual benefit and win-win progress. We encourage Chinese enterprises to increase international exchanges. We will enhance the attractiveness of “bringing in” and accelerate the pace of “going out”, working with all to improve global maritime governance and industry management.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

No mountain and ocean can distance people with shared aspirations. The convening of this conference is a proactive step in practicing President XI Jinping’s concept of “A Community with A Shared Future for Mankind”. Harbin Engineering University, as a leading institute in the shipbuilding and ocean engineering field of China, should play a greater role in building an international platform for technological cooperation in related fields. We hope that all distinguished guests will take this conference as an opportunity to fully exchange experiences, and achieve win-win cooperation on a larger scale, in broader fields, and at a higher level. This will contribute to promoting the high-quality development of shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment and creating a new pattern for the development of international maritime affairs.

Finally, I wish this conference a complete success.

Thank you!