Cooperation helps improve both Chinese, Ukrainian welding technology

KIEV - As an embodiment of the achievements of Chinese-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of science and technology, the China-Ukraine EO Paton Institute of Welding (CUPIW) is attracting visitors at the ongoing China-Ukraine Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) exhibition here.

Brainchild of China-Ukraine high-tech cooperation

Founded in South China's Guangdong province in 2011, the CUPIW has been an effective model of innovative cooperation in the scientific and technological sphere between China and Ukraine. It has played a key role in the rapid development of high-tech equipment production in China in recent years.

The Ukrainian partner of CUPIW is the Paton Electric Welding Institute (PEWI). As one of the world's leaders in welding technologies, the Kiev-based institution has been among the world's leading scientific research bodies for years, despite the changing global environment.

Being a brainchild of China-Ukraine scientific and technical cooperation, the CUPIW has managed to achieve an outstanding success during the initial years of its work, helping to raise the welding technologies of China to the highest international level.

Dong Chunlin, vice-director of the CUPIW, told Xinhua in a recent interview that the CUPIW's secret of success lies in its innovative model of cooperation.

Since the establishment of the world-class research institution, the first project in the modern history of China's international high-tech cooperation, Chinese and Ukrainian scientists and technical experts have launched joint research and development projects and practically implemented them.

Story of creation

In June 2010, Cao Jianlin, China's then vice-minister of science and technology, visited the PEWI in Kiev, suggesting that the institution seek new models of scientific and technical cooperation between China and Ukraine.

He also put forward the idea of creating the "joint China-Ukraine international research institute," which was well considered both in Guangdong and in Kiev.

Three months later, the two sides signed a memorandum on the establishment of a Joint China-Ukraine International Research Institute in Guangdong.

In February 2011, Borys Paton, head of the PEWI, who is also the chairman of Ukraine's National Academy of Science, signed a cooperation agreement with the Guangdong Institute of Industrial Technology and the local government.

The deal has laid the cornerstone for scientific and technical cooperation between China and Ukraine.

Effective model of success

The main tasks of the PEWI are attracting high-quality personnel, conducting joint international research and finding ways to apply it in practice.

During the interview, Dong said that the CUPIW has established an effective model of partnership with the PEWI in the course of cooperation.

The CUPIW, which combined the state's needs and advanced technologies, has created five world-class research platforms operating in such areas as modern welding equipment and technologies, surface engineering, welding materials, laser and plasma processing.

The CUPIW research platforms could be used in aerospace, nuclear power, metallurgy, shipbuilding, marine engineering, 3D-printing, as well as in the automotive, electrical and biomedical sectors.

Partnership for win-win results

The CUPIW has established a comprehensive interaction with research institutes, universities and high-tech hubs in China. Now it is in the process of negotiating a possible partnership with Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, Tianjin Binhai New Area and Shanghai's Lingang area.

Through strenuous work, the CUPIW has carried out 48 research projects at the state, provincial and city levels and provided services to more than 100 enterprises.

Dong said that the CUPIW's development path was determined by the Belt and Road Initiative. The institution has approved a bi-directional strategy for international cooperation, which includes both adopting the best international practices and sharing its own experience with others.

In particular, the institution sends its young technical personnel to study at the PEWI, and exports welding materials and services to the countries along the Belt and Road.

Next year, the CUPIW plans to open an exchange center at the PEWI to promote its goods and services in the countries bordering Ukraine.