On October 23, 2023, the China Civil Engineering Society held its 2024 Academic Annual Conference in Suzhou. The event recognized the outstanding achievements of 89 award-winning projects in the 20th China Civil Engineering Zhan Tianyou Awards and launched the “Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) – Civil Engineering.”
Can you tell us more about the significance of the “Encyclopedia of China,” particularly in the field of civil engineering?
The “Encyclopedia of China” is a foundational and landmark work in the field of Chinese science and culture. As an integral part of its third edition, the inclusion of civil engineering is crucial for promoting the excellent civilization of the Chinese nation, enhancing national scientific and cultural strength, and disseminating discipline-specific knowledge.
At the awards ceremony, which projects stood out among the 89 honored for the Zhan Tianyou Awards?
Projects like the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway, the main island-tunnel engineering of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the CITIC Tower in Beijing’s CBD were particularly notable among the awardees, representing significant achievements in civil engineering.
What insights did Wang Hui, the Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, share during the conference?
Wang Hui emphasized the importance of technological innovation in engineering construction. He urged the need for constructing “good houses” that are green, low-carbon, intelligent, and safe, and called for breakthroughs in key technologies to enhance housing quality. His vision is to ensure that the public can live in a healthy and comfortable environment while using facilities safely and conveniently.
How does Wang Hui envision the future of the construction industry in terms of productivity and collaboration?
He highlighted the need to accelerate the development of new productive forces in construction, strengthening the role of enterprises in technological innovation. Wang advocated for interdisciplinary research and encouraged a concentration of advanced production factors in the sector to boost overall productivity. He also called for closer collaboration between construction companies, universities, and research institutions to promote international cooperation and talent exchange, contributing to high-quality social and economic development.
What was the overarching theme of the conference, as mentioned by Yi Jun, the president of the China Civil Engineering Society?
Yi Jun stated that the conference was centered on the goal of ensuring that the public can access green, low-carbon, intelligent, and safe housing. The objective is to actively promote high-quality development in the civil engineering sector and provide high-quality construction products that enhance China’s reputation globally.
Could you elaborate on the current trends in smart construction, as discussed by Qian Qihu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering?
Qian Qihu pointed out the urgent need for transformation and upgrading in the traditional construction industry. He advocated for speeding up the integration of digital technologies such as big data, cloud computing, 5G, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence into all aspects of civil engineering. This integration is essential for achieving digital transformation and smart upgrades in construction and health management.
What were some key activities at the conference?
The conference featured thematic activities under the banner of “Integrated and Innovative Development in Civil Engineering,” including invited speeches, keynote forums, and specialized discussions. There were also significant events like the launch of the “China Civil Engineering Development Report,” the signing of a strategic cooperation intention agreement for the integration of the smart construction industry, and the awarding of the China Civil Engineering Society’s popular science education base. Moreover, the “Five-Year Plan for Scientific Development (2024-2028)” was officially released.
