Exploring Sino-German Cooperation in an Innovative Way and Empowering Sino-European Partnerships in a Greener Future

On June 13, 2025, Tongji Day and Tongji-German Symposium 2025, hosted by Tongji University and organized by Tongji SEM German-Sino Center, was successfully held in Berlin, Germany. As a flagship annual event of Tongji SEM’s German-Sino Center, “Tongji Day” marks a major initiative in deepening Sino-German cooperation. The event unveiled the Tongji University International Study Academy, International Students Recruitment Base and Overseas Talent Recruitment Base, and the Tongji-XJ International Joint Innovation Center for Sustainable Energy Management. It also included certificate-awarding ceremony of industry mentors, thematic forum, study Abroad program promotion event, and talent dialogue with overseas young scholars.

With the theme “New Pathways to Sustainable Transformation: Sino-German Collaboration as a Driving Force”, the forum brought together leading figures from academia and industry in both countries to explore new frontiers of collaborative innovation, injecting new momentum into global sustainable development through Sino-European partnerships.

In his opening remarks, Professor FANG Shou’en, Chairman of Tongji University Council, emphasized Tongji’s historical role as a bridge and platform for Sino-German collaboration. Over the past century, the university has significantly contributed to the exchanges in education, science, and culture between the two nations. He noted that, in response to the emerging global challenges, Tongji is advancing a transformation focused on digital intelligence, sustainability, and integration, promoting AI-driven academic innovation, embedding sustainability throughout its operations, and creating platforms for interdisciplinary and industry-academic collaboration. He called on both countries to further strengthen educational ties and co-build a resilient Sino-German education community, jointly contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing the university’s commitment to a greener future.

Inauguration of Three Overseas Platforms to Promote In-depth Academia-Industry Synergy

Since its establishment in November 2024, the German-Sino Center has been dedicated to building a globally influential platform for academic and industrial cooperation. During the event, Tongji officially inaugurated three overseas platforms in Berlin: International Study Academy, International Students Recruitment Base, and Overseas Talent Recruitment Base. These mark a new phase of full-chain, ecosystem-level German-Sino collaboration. The three platforms aim to create a seamless “education–recruitment–talent” synergy, facilitating bilateral talent mobility and research collaboration, and fostering deeper integration between Chinese and European innovation ecosystems.

A certificate-awarding ceremony for the first group of Sino-German industry mentors was also held. Executives from companies such as SAP and Gotion will support practical implementation of industry-academic partnerships through the Berlin platform. Additionally, the forum announced the upcoming launch of the first Tongji University Germany Summer Camp, during which hundreds of Tongji students will have immersive learning and cultural exchanges in Germany, enhancing their global vision and intercultural competencies.

Launch of Joint Innovation Platform to Support Green Energy Transformation

Participants also witnessed the official launch of the Tongji-XJ International Joint Innovation Center for Sustainable Energy Management, jointly established by Tongji University and XJ Electric. The center will focus on green, low-carbon initiatives and energy transition, creating a platform that connects scientific research, technology transfer, and industrial application.

LI Juntao, Chairman of XJ Group Corporation and XJ Electric Corporation, extended his congratulations via a video message. Professor SHI Qian, Chairman of School Council, Dean of Sino-German Academy for Economics and Management, Tongji SEM, remarked that the center will serve as a new engine of Sino-German technological cooperation, setting a model for collaborative innovation between China and Europe, and accelerating the global shift to green energy.

Sino-German Experts and Scholars Gather to Discuss Opportunities in Artificial Intelligence

Experts from industries and scholars from universities delve into Sino-German cooperation in the era of artificial intelligence during forum’s high-level keynote speeches and round-table discussions. Dr. Gero Decker, General Manager SAP Signavio, Co-Managing Director SAP Labs Berlin, highlighted China’s global leadership in AI patents and its role as a new engine of global tech innovation. He noted that while startups traditionally lead in agility and iteration, large enterprises—with their robust data assets and systemic capabilities—are now gaining new opportunities amid AI advancements.

In the round-table session, Clas NEUMANN, SAP Senior Vice President, Head of Global SAP Labs Network, Andre MEYER, Director Business Development & External Affairs EMEA, and ZHANG Hui, Group Vice President NIO, shared their insights on Sino-German cooperation in innovation. They unanimously agreed that the two nations possess vast potential for collaboration in technology development.

Professor XIE Jingui of the Technical University of Munich delivered a keynote on integrating traditional Chinese medicine with AI, proposing the use of AI and big data to enhance health technologies and drive collaborative progress in medicine, environment, and public health between China and Germany.

A Significant New Milestone in Advancing Sustainable Bilateral Cooperation

Distinguished guests included Rainer SEIDER, Director of the Office for International Affairs, Berlin Senate; Marten RAUSCHENBERG, CEO of Asia Berlin Forum; SHEN Guoqiang, CEO of DH FitLife GmbH, Honorary President of Tongji University German Alumni Club; Xiao LAMPALZER, HR Director Germany, Joyson Europe GmbH, Vice President of the Tongji Bavaria Alumni Association; as well as scholars from Humboldt University, University of Mannheim, ESCP Berlin, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Nearly 30 distinguished alumni of Tongji University also attended, alongside faculty and student representatives from multiple departments at Tongji.

The forum showcased a shift from traditional academic exchange to broader industrial empowerment, opening new dimensions of openness and mutual trust in Sino-German cooperation. This initiative represents an all-round implementation of Tongji University’s international strategy and a pragmatic step toward jointly building a sustainable and innovation-driven future. Looking ahead, the Sino-German Center will continue to leverage its platform to deepen educational, technological, and industrial collaboration between China, Germany, and the broader European community, aiming to nurture a resilient Sino-German innovation ecosystem by contributing robust Sino-German solutions.