Zhuzhou: From cradle of Chinese locomotives to world-class rail innovation hub

EMBRACING THE WORLD

In a globalized world, cross-border technological cooperation and exchange have become an irreversible trend. The small inland city keeps an open mind and is eager to embrace a new world.

"Science and technology are the wealth of all mankind," said Liu."Learning is different from plagiarism and learning from others is necessary."

Even CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd., the industrial leader on the world stage, does not exclude international exchanges. From 2003 to 2004, 75 staff members went to Europe to learn welding, painting, assembling and other technologies.

Fan Yunxin, vice chief engineer of the company, said "We must depend on ourselves, and meanwhile stay open-minded to learn from others' more advanced technology."

In the early years of China's reform and opening-up, Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group Co., Ltd. introduced a metal-cutting tool production line, which "helped the company catch up with the industry leaders in the shortest period of time," said Zhang Weibing, director of the group's research and development center.

After years of adapting foreign technologies and independent innovation, the company now boasts several world-leading technologies, and its products have been used in China's Shenzhou spacecrafts, said Xu Shangzhi, chief technology officer with Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group.

"All technological introductions are based on a country's existing scientific and technological strength," the academician said. "The introduction of technology only inspires us, we still need our own innovation capability in the long run."

Zhou Qinghe, president of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd., said "If there is no innovation after technological introduction, we will fall into a vicious cycle, where introduction brings us advanced technology and saves us from long-term research and development, which also leads to heavy reliance on others."