Standing, left to right: Mr Li Jianchun, Mr Hao Ming, Mr Chen Heping, Mr Wang Baoqing, Mr Wang Hongju, Mr Fred Delany, Dr Paul Hilton, Dr Steve Shi, Mr Nick Whittingham.
Seated, left to right: Dr Christoph Wiesner (TWI), Mr Zhu Fei (COMRI)
On the 6 August 2008, TWI and COMRI signed, in the presence of the Mayor Mr Wang Hongju, a co-operation agreement to facilitate the transfer of technologies in advanced manufacturing to Chongqing industrial companies. The firstproject will be a consultancy and training programme in laser welding of thin sheets.
Through COMRI, one of its Industrial Members in China, TWI has developed a close relationship with Chongqing Science and Technology commission, who are keen to attract centres of excellence to advance the development of localindustry. Chongqing is particularly strong in aluminium processing, automotive, motorcycles, chemicals, machinery, transportation and shipbuilding, but there is a drive to move up the value chain by shifting towards more hi-tech,knowledge intensive industries (medical, electronics and advanced engineering).
During his visit, Mr Wang Hongju identified friction stir welding as a technology that would benefit the automotive industry supply chain of Chongqing, and TWI anticipates further co-operation between industrial manufacturers inChongqing and TWI in this field.
Chongqing, located in the Sichuan region, is one of the largest cities in China, with a population of over 32 million. It has the status of a province (like Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai) and has enjoyed the fastest growth of anycity in China since 1997 when the central government decided to invest in developing its infrastructure. After 10 years of relentless development, Chongqing is now a modern metropolis attracting business and trade.
The Mayor is the highest ranking official in the People's Government of Chongqing and he occupies the same level in the order of precedence as a provincial governor.
