Event Recap: “2025 InnoTrip China” Concludes Successfully, Ushering in a New Chapter of Diversified Sino-Swiss Sci-Tech Collaboration
Time：2025-10-05 Look：104
Marking the 75th anniversary of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations, the "2025 InnoTrip China" program organized by the Swiss-Sino Innovation Center (SSIC) and the Sino-European Federation of Lifescience (SEFL), recently concluded successfully. A delegation of over ten Swiss high-tech enterprises traced the innovation trajectories of the Yangtze River Delta zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, conducting immersive visits to six cities: Wuxi, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Kunshan, Danyang, and Zhenjiang. Through various activities including pitching event, innovation park visits, and in-depth matchmaking sessions. The event established a bridge for the precise integration of Sino-Swiss innovation resources, injecting fresh momentum into the two nations' Innovative Strategic Partnership.
Wuxi Debut: Setting the Stage for Industrial Innovation Synergy
On September 18, the trip commenced in Wuxi's Xishan District at the Yangtze River Delta Industrial Chip Valley, under the theme "Industrial Innovation Synergy." The delegation showcased over ten cutting-edge technology projects. The event emphasized mutual empowerment between Switzerland and China by creating an efficient matchmaking platform. This platform offered Swiss enterprises comprehensive support for project financing, market expansion, and scenario application in China, while simultaneously enabling local Wuxi businesses and investors to connect accurately with advanced Swiss technologies, thereby fostering cross-border technology transfer and diversified industrial collaboration.
As the co-organizing partner, Mr. Hu Yidong, dean of the Wuxi Industrial Innovation Research Institute, noted that Wuxi has already established collaborations with 12 overseas universities and built two industrial technology innovation service centers, dedicated to providing full-spectrum support for Swiss SMEs entering the Chinese market. He expressed his hope that the event would catalyze the landing of more high-quality, "small yet beautiful" Swiss projects in Wuxi, deepening cooperation in industrial, innovation, and talent ecosystems between China and Switzerland.
Prior to the main event, representatives from the Swiss enterprises visited the Wanshan Lake Eco-Sci-Tech City and the Precision Medical Industry Park. They gained detailed insights into the park planning and industrial ecology, holding preliminary discussions on technology cooperation and market opportunities in fields like life sciences, which laid the groundwork for future project collaboration and implementation.
Guangzhou Exchange: Spotlight on Biomedicine and Artificial Intelligence
From September 19-21, the InnoTrip China at Guangzhou, jointly organized by SSIC, SEFL, and the Guangzhou International Cooperation Center (GICC), was successfully held at the Guangzhou Returned Overseas Chinese Science Park and the Guangzhou (International) Sci-Tech Achievements Transformation Tianhe Base.
On September 19, the delegation first visited the Home for Returnees in the Greater Bay Area and the Guangzhou Returned Overseas Chinese Science Park. In the afternoon, roadshows featuring over ten Swiss innovation enterprises, specializing in biomedicine and artificial intelligence, took place at the Guangzhou Returned Overseas Chinese Science Park.
The following day, the delegation visited the Guangzhou (International) Sci-Tech Achievements Transformation Tianhe Base, where they learned about its accomplishments and case studies in sci-tech achievement transformation and international innovation cooperation. Subsequently, they visited Guangzhou Gizzai Technology Company, examining a successful case study of an AI-powered language education project implemented in Guangzhou. In-depth exchanges were held with the company's technical lead regarding application scenarios and market expansion strategies.
The delegation also toured platform institutions and sci-tech parks such as Guangdong Medical Valley · Nansha Life Science Park and Guangzhou International Bio-Island. They engaged in substantive discussions and matchmaking sessions with technology firms like Runjie Medical, Meiyang Innovation, and Lead Health, as well as with investment and financing institutions including Guangdong Yuecai Fund, Guangzhou Health Industry Investment, Guangzhou Haihui Investment, and Guangzhou Chuangyu Investment, fostering deeper cooperation in life sciences, AI, and related fields between China and Switzerland.
Shanghai Minhang: Hard-Tech Showcase and In-Depth Engagement
As a core innovation hub in the Yangtze River Delta, the Shanghai Minhang segment stood out as a highlight of the trip. The Shanghai event was held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Grand neoBay Sci-Tech Innovation Park, convening over ten Swiss enterprises focused on core sectors like biomedicine, AI, and robotics.
Roadshow presentations from 11 Swiss companies were particularly notable. Globally cutting-edge technologies, including thrombosis prevention for myocardial infarction, treatments for pediatric brain diseases capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, and novel targeted cancer radiotherapy, garnered significant investor interest. The AI and intelligent manufacturing sectors also demonstrated robust innovation, featuring projects such as smart city infrastructure monitoring and early warning systems, intelligent tactile guidance systems for the visually impaired integrating AI vision and wearable haptics, robotic dynamic intelligence systems, and multi-modal AI applications in education and fashion technology, all highlighting the deep integration of technology with practical needs.
During the event, Mr. Tan Ruicong, Deputy District Chief of Minhang District, announced that Minhang would jointly release the "Minhang Guide for the Market Development of Swiss Technologies in China," aiming to attract more European innovation resources to focus on and establish roots in Minhang. This move underscores the proactive efforts of local governments to secure high-quality international innovation resources through targeted services.
Concurrently, three long-term cooperation measures were finalized: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding focusing on the life and health sector, the establishment of a "Minhang Liaison Station for Swiss-Sino Innovation Center" based at the Xinwei Chuangyuan Incubator （Sinnobator) , and the joint publication of the aforementioned guide, laying a solid foundation for sustained cooperation.
Innovative Matchmaking Model: "World Café" Fosters Deep Dialogue
The Shanghai segment innovated beyond traditional conference formats by incorporating a refreshing "World Café" session. This format, utilizing relaxed and open roundtable discussions, facilitated a shift from "superficial acquaintance" to "meaningful dialogue" between the Chinese and Swiss participants. Both sides engaged in profound discussions on six key topics, including "Medtech Incubation" and "Pathways for Cross-Border Cooperation," generating multiple points of consensus for future collaboration. Dr. Julien Grogg, a representative from the Swiss entrepreneurs delegation, remarked that he was deeply impressed by Minhang's strengths and open attitude in fields like AI and biomedicine, expressing his eagerness to translate the dialogues into tangible cooperative outcomes.
Kunshan: Sino-Swiss Collaboration Fuels the "Going Global" of Kunshan Manufacturing
The Swiss innovation project delegation arrived in Kunshan, officially launching their roadshow at the presentation hall of the Baifu Sci-Tech Innovation Industrial Park. The event saw participation from representatives of the Kunshan Science and Technology Bureau, Kunshan Talent Development Service Center, Development Zone Science and Technology Bureau, Kunshan Baifu Investment Development Company, and Zhumeng Capital.
Through in-depth exchanges, the roadshow facilitated the preliminary identification of key cooperation directions between the Swiss-Sino Innovation Center and Kunshan City. These potential areas include Kunshan hosting overseas innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, supporting the "going global" initiatives of Kunshan's manufacturing industry, and the mutual establishment of liaison offices, thereby setting the stage for subsequent collaboration.
Zhenjiang Finale: Elevating Sino-Swiss Innovation Cooperation
On the afternoon of the 26th, the tour reached its conclusion in Zhenjiang. The Swiss innovation Zhenjiang Roadshow was held at the Chuixin Building in the Municipal Economic Development Zone. The event brought together approximately 50 participants, including the elite Swiss entrepreneurs delegation, relevant government departments from both municipal and district levels in Zhenjiang, investment institutions, local enterprises, and incubation platform representatives, all gathering to discuss cutting-edge technological trends and explore collaboration opportunities. Mr. Zhu Xiaoyang, Director of Zhenjiang Economic Development Zone, attended and delivered opening remarks.
Setting aside their travel fatigue, the Swiss delegates presented their technology projects one by one to representatives from Zhenjiang's various industrial parks, investment and financing institutions, and relevant companies. Projects such as the AI education initiative, the robotic dynamic intelligence system, and the intelligent tactile guidance system particularly captured the interest of the investors and business representatives present.
The delegation also visited enterprises and zones including Yuwell Medical Group, Huichuang Medical, Danyang High-Tech Zone, the core R&D area of Zhenjiang National University Science Park, Su Yi De Technology, and Genscript Biotech. Through meetings and exchanges, the delegation gained a keen appreciation for the high priority the Zhenjiang government places on technological innovation and its strong desire for high-end talent, as well as the city's favorable business environment and industrial potential.
Vice Mayor Zhang Ke of Zhenjiang made time in her busy schedule to host a breakfast meeting with the delegation. After listening to the Swiss entrepreneurs' needs and proposals, she stated, "Zhenjiang warmly welcomes Swiss entrepreneurs to choose Zhenjiang” . He emphasised that Zhenjiang is committed to providing corresponding funding and policy support for project landing , creating all necessary favorable conditions for Swiss innovation projects to 'bloom and bear fruit' in Zhenjiang."
Building Long-Term Mechanisms to Facilitate Swiss Project Landing
Cities within the Yangtze River Delta have developed complementary and synergistic industrial layouts. The 2025 Swiss InnoTrip China, which included Guangzhou, Wuxi, Shanghai, Kunshan, Danyang, and Zhenjiang, was strategically designed. Dr. Feng Jianhua, Director of the Swiss-Sino Innovation Center, emphasized, "Since 2018, we have successfully organized four InnoTrip China programs, facilitating the market entry of 50 Swiss high-tech enterprises into China. Dozens of these have successfully established a presence in the Yangtze River Delta Zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."
This year's InnoTrip China not only achieved precise, multi-city, and multi-sector matchmaking but also instituted long-term cooperation mechanisms. Leveraging platforms such as the Guangzhou International Cooperation Center, Shanghai Sinnobator, the Wuxi Industrial Innovation Research Institute, and the Sino-Swiss Zhenjiang Eco-Industrial Park, the SSIC has established multiple liaison stations across China. These stations will provide ongoing industrial matchmaking services, ensuring the continuity and normalization of collaboration.
Through multi-city engagement and profound interaction, the “2025 InnoTrip China” program transcended mere ceremonial exchanges. It has effectively constructed a robust innovation cooperation network radiating throughout the Yangtze River Delta and connecting China and Switzerland, thereby composing a new chapter in the sci-tech and industrial collaboration between the two countries.