Intensifying int'l cooperation a shortcut to accelerate the pace of manufacturing industry transformation

Guangzhou CBD [Photo by Zhang Yu'an]

Enhancing the implementation of an innovation-driven strategy and accelerating the pace of manufacturing transformation are probably high-on-agenda common tasks for many cities, especially the mega city of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

Last year, the total output value of above-scale industrial enterprises in Guangzhou hit more than 1.8 trillion yuan ($294 billion), solidifying the city’s role as one of the most important manufacturing centers in the country. The three pillars are automobile, electronics and petrochemicals.

Guangzhou, also one of the largest shipping hubs in the world, has set innovation as a driver for sustainable growth and is eager to accelerate its manufacturing industry transformation.

There may be many ways to achieve the goal, but intensifying international cooperation with technology and innovation leaders from the West is an efficient way of achieving it.

Early this week, the Industry and Information Technology Commission of Guangzhou Municipality invited nine US innovation-driven companies to the city to discuss cooperation with potential partners. Each of the companies, none on the Fortune 500 list, has cutting-edge technology and products.

It is worth taking a glimpse at their products that cut across a number of sectors. Witricity Corp has highly resonant wireless power transfer technology; Lightsail Inc has the technology to store and deliver low-cost, off-peak energy; 1366 Technologies has the technology to cut down the production cost of silicon wafers by half; Terrafugia offers the chance to cooperate in producing flying cars; XCOR Aerospace seeks partners for manufacturing fully reusable suborbital spacecraft; Wicab Inc has the technology to produce non-surgical devices intended to help the blind “see” while Hanson Robotics designs life-like, social robotics that can mimic human expressions and emotions.

Guangzhou CBD [Photo by Zhang Yu'an]

Think about it. Maybe in the quite near future, such advanced technologies may be introduced to Guangzhou and cool products like flying cars, life-like robotics and devices that allow you to charge your cell phones or electric cars in a wireless manner will be manufactured in Guangzhou, a substantial upgrade for the local manufacturing industry.

I really think the Guangzhou authorities are doing a very good thing in helping the local manufacturing enterprises catch up with the trend of innovation and advanced manufacturing leaders in the world. Self-reliance in technology innovation and manufacturing upgrading are important, but introducing them or cooperating with leaders in their fields are also essential and more importantly, a quick way to accelerate the process.

Zhou Yawei, vice-mayor of the city, said that Guangzhou is striving to implement the innovation-driven strategy, actively introduce the technologies of innovation-driven small and medium-sized enterprises, and promote cooperation between the local manufacturing firms with world technology leaders so that the city will be built into China’s model zone of advanced manufacturing industry for small and medium-sized enterprises.

I hope there will be more such cooperation events. At the same time, the local manufacturing firms should also go out to actively seek partners and broaden their views.