Shanghai Daily News

The China Yangpu Siemens 2010 Forum was held in Yangpu District earlier this week, providing a platform to discuss cooperation for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

During the talks, government officials and Siemens management exchanged insight on global innovation trends and discussed how such technology could be applied at the expo.

The comprehensive partnership areas between the two are particularly focused on infrastructure development, energy savings, healthcare and the modernization of residential areas.

As a former industrial base and now a university-intensive area, the cooperation with the German industrial giant brings another sharp tool to Yangpu's further development.

The talks at the forum were aimed at integrating the knowledge and resources of both parties, especially for the expo.

Regarded as the first event of its kind between a global-innovation leader and a local knowledge-focused district, Yangpu officials were very positive about future cooperation.

Chen Anjie, the district's Party secretary, said: "We have a clear vision for Yangpu to become a knowledge-centered and innovation-focused district. The next five years to 2010 offers lots of opportunities for Yangpu to make our vision a reality."

The Munich-based company boasts a highly-qualified team for dealing in projects with the Shanghai government. Among its most high-profile projects are various Metro lines, the Pudong International Airport, Jin Mao Tower and the Maglev.

Addressing the forum, Dr Richard Hausmann, president and CEO of Siemens Ltd China, said that he was fascinated and deeply impressed by the district's fast-paced development.

"Innovation is the lifeblood of Siemens. We share very much the same vision as Yangpu District. We are committed to contributing our advanced and innovative infrastructure solutions for sustainable urban development to help Yangpu realize its vision.

"I am confident that our comprehensive partnership will be successful and long term, based on a shared vision of innovation and a win-win approach."

To date, Tongji University and Siemens have cooperated in the areas of healthcare and the expo facilities.

In February, Professor Claus Weyrich, head of Siemens AG Corporate Technology and a member of the Siemens AG Management Board, was honored with the title of "Innovation Adviser to Yangpu District."

During the forum, the district also announced its mission moving towards 2010 - "to accelerate the establishment of a public digital information center, such as a digital library and database of achievements, to set up a social security system for employees of failed businesses and to invest more money in innovative industries."