An online meeting to inaugurate the Steering Committee on Sino-British Engineering Technology Cooperation was held on the afternoon of April 27, 2022 in Beijing – the morning in London – amid efforts to promote long-term exchanges and partnership among the engineering communities of the two countries. 

Li Xiaohong, President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and Sir Jim McDonald, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), the Chinese and British presidents of the new committee, attended via video link and delivered speeches. 

The meeting heard reports from both sides on the committee’s preparations, establishment and future plans along with keynote speeches on decarbonation by CAE member Wang Jinnan and RAEng fellow Nilay Shah. It also reviewed and adopted relevant documents for the committee and exchanged ideas on cooperation.

President Li put forward three suggestions for the future work of the committee. First, to uphold the good tradition of cooperation between the engineering communities of the two countries, pool the resources of the government, science and technology sector and industries to carry out programs such as strategic consultation and research, academic exchanges and seminars, and cooperation in technological innovation. 

Second, to focus on major engineering challenges and jointly seek innovative solutions for sustainable development in areas including carbon neutrality, health, artificial intelligence and other timely issues. 

Third, to pilot innovative mechanisms in research topic selection, project management and application of research results to enable new accomplishments and promote the economic and social development of both countries.

In his speech, RAEng President McDonald noted that achieving carbon emissions goals is a daunting task involving profound changes for the whole society. He said the engineering community will continue to lead the development of technological research and innovation, apply systematic thinking to solve complex problems, and effectively promote changes. He noted the RAEng can bring its own advantages into play, bring together experts, and provide a platform for frank, open and high-level discussions. He added that the existing collaboration between the CAE and the RAEng will help the two academies better understand each other's decarbonisation strategies, learn from each other's successful practices, identify opportunities and coordinate efforts.

The first area of the Sino-British engineering cooperation is to advance the realization of China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals and the net zero strategy of the UK. Under the guidance of the steering committee, a series of seminars will be held in the fields of CCUS, low-carbon buildings, offshore wind energy, hydrogen energy, net-zero carbon transportation, power system transformation, resilient power grids and other topics.