Experts and engineers gave their thumbs up to China's innovation at the International Engineers' Forum: Craftsmanship and Innovation, held in Guangzhou on Dec 6.

The forum invited renowned engineers and experts from Germany, the US, Ukraine and Israel to give their insights and share their experiences. The forum promoted closer cooperation in global innovation, constructing a global innovation network, and strengthening scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation.

"Many Germans hold the opinion that the answer to how high-speed train will develop in the future lies China instead of Germany," Ulrich Sendler, a German expert in Industry 4.0 who spoke highly of innovation in China's manufacturing industry.

Korzhyk Volodymyr, president of China-Paton Electric Welding Institute, shared his experiences in training high-quality and skilled welding craftsmen by taking advantage of some innovative platforms. He also spoke of his research and achievements in thermal plasma technology, ultrasonic spraying and surface modification techniques.

Based on Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd (GAC Group)'s 10 years of experience in independent innovation, Fan Jiachun, deputy director of GAC Automotive Engineering Institute, said that independence in core technology, openness and cooperation, and the spirit of continually improving are imperative to technical craftsmanship.

Director of the Guangzhou Science Technology and Innovation Commission Ma Zhengyong proposed that talents should always be the priority when taking the innovation path.

Guangzhou is taking steps to build itself into an international innovation hub. Currently, there are 19 national key laboratories, 44 provincial innovative research institutes, and 187 high-tech business incubators in the city.

As the host city, Guangzhou will establish an association of professional engineers and set up a project focused on exploring the key techniques of future industries.

Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the World Association of Major Metropolises (Metropolis) and Guangzhou Municipal Government, the forum is a world-class communication platform for global engineers.