I am counselor of science and technology innovation at the Irish Embassy in China.In mid-May,I accompanied Ann Derwin,Irish ambassador to China,to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in south China’s Guangdong Province.Our first stop was the Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD’s production base in Shenzhen.Ireland has given top priorities to developing green industries.BYD,at the same time,plans to release its mid-sized Atto 3 crossover model on the Irish market this year and establish a dealer network in Ireland to provide localized sales and aftersales services to customers across the country.I have also found some valuable information on the green development in Beijing after reading “The Hydrogen Energy Era” and “Growing Confidence in China’s High-Quality Development” in the January and April issues ofChina Today.Through the articles,I got to know that Ideal Automobile Beijing Green Intelligent Factory has been located in Beijing’s Shunyi District,as one of the key projects focusing on intelligent manufacturing of new energy vehicles during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).And the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone has been built in southern Beijing’s Daxing District,with a full industrial chain of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,which serves Beijing and its two neighbors,Tianjin and Hebei Province,within an integrated “hydrogen energy innovation ecosystem.”These are tangible progress made by China in green development.

Giuseppe Joe

Ireland

I am director of design and interaction at Studio Volpi,which is based in Italy with a business team in Shanghai.I am responsible for creating design strategies for generating innovation and business growth.I read “Innovation Spearheads China’s Modernization” on the official website ofChina Today.As the author Stephan Ossenkopp pointed out,“Innovationdriven development is now a key concept in China.In addition to mastering certain strategically important technologies,it refers also to basing China’s overall social and economic development on continuous innovation and sustained technological progress.” In recent years,industrial design has become an important force in promoting the industrial transformation and high-quality development of the manufacturing industry.My work is to create real and significant innovation through a multidisciplinary approach.I recently went to Guangzhou to attend the 133rd China Import and Export Fair,also known as the Canton Fair.After three years of the pandemic,the Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou– one of the most developed areas of the country,Asia and even the world– has finally been able to return to the normal,welcoming entrepreneurs and visitors from 220 countries and regions.So,I see the year 2023 as a year of multiculturalism.The society as a whole can benefit from increased diversity through the harmonious coexistence of different cultures.And together,we can promote industrial design,continuous innovation,and entrepreneurship.

Patrizio Cionfoli

Italy