On October 15, the Shanghai-Nanjing Plus 2025 delegation of young and mid-career American experts and scholars continued their visit to Nanjing, and attending the trip’s closing ceremony at the Johns Hopkins University Center-Nanjing University for Chinese and American Studies (Hopkins Nanjing Center).
Nanjing Iron and Steel Group, Ltd
That morning, the delegation visited Nanjing Iron & Steel Group (Nanjing Steel) to study how the company’s technological innovation and industrial transformation practices have evolved since its founding in 1958. The delegation visited the Intelligent Steel Manufacturing Exhibition Hall, the company’s First Steelmaking Plant, and the Nanjing Smart Steel Center. The delegation had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with technologies such as the MR inspection system, 3D digital sand-table models, and 3D visualization control screens. These experiences, along with explanations from the staff, helped them expand their understanding of Nanjing Steel’s development history and the firm’s achievements in digital transformation and intelligent upgrading.
Hopkins Nanjing Center Youth Roundtable Forum
That afternoon, the delegation attended a Youth Roundtable Forum hosted by the Hopkins Nanjing Center. Centered on the theme of “Technological Innovation and Economic & Policy Transformation,” the forum featured discussions on three major topics: the challenges and possibilities of China’s policy environment, lessons and comparative perspectives from the delegation’s global experiences, and human capital in the context of emerging technologies.
The forum was chaired by Adam Webb, the American Co-Director of the Hopkins Nanjing Center. Li Xiaorong, the Chinese Co-Director of the Center, attended the forum and delivered remarks. Faculty and students from the Center also participated.
Director Li Xiaorong started the discussion by welcoming the delegation. She noted that the roundtable closely followed the theme of “Technology Innovation and the Shifting Economic and Policy Landscape,” noting that the theories awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics emphasize the importance of technological advancement, creative destruction, and societal openness in fostering sustainable economic growth. Li’s remarks aligns strongly with the theme of the Shanghai-Nanjing Plus activity series and highlights the significance of the forum. She encouraged scholars and guests to speak freely and engage in cross-perspective discussion on these cutting-edge issues.
Remarks by Li Xiaorong, Chinese Co-Director of the Hopkins Nanjing Center
The forum was chaired by Adam Webb, American Co-Director of the Hopkins Nanjing Center
At the forum, Chinese and American experts and scholars shared their perspectives while discussing topics such as the opportunities and challenges faced by China’s policies promoting technological innovation, competition and cooperation between China and the U.S. in science and technology, and the impact of emerging technologies—especially artificial intelligence—on talent training, vocational education, and employment. The forum created an open and inclusive environment for dialogue, providing a valuable platform for the participants to exchange their diverse viewpoints.
Remarks by faculty representatives of Hopkins Nanjing Center (listed in order of speaking)
Remarks from delegation members
After the successful conclusion of the Youth Roundtable Forum, the delegation attended the closing ceremony of the Shanghai Nanjing Plus 2025 “Exploring Perspectives on U.S.–China Relations” activity series at the Hopkins Nanjing Center.
Scene from the closing ceremony
Li Xiaorong, the Chinese Co-Director of the Center presided over the closing ceremony. Adam Webb, the American Co-Director, and Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), delivered remarks on behalf of the co-organizers.
Director Li Xiaorong expressed her gratitude for the delegation members’ participation in the seminar and thanked the organizing institutions for their hard work. She emphasized that the core mission of the Shanghai-Nanjing Plus series is not to seek immediate consensus, but instead to create an open and honest channel for Chinese and American scholars to explore the “real issues” in the bilateral relationship and lay the groundwork for finding solutions in the future.
The closing ceremony was chaired by Li Xiaorong, Chinese Co-Director of the Hopkins Nanjing Center
Director Adam Webb stated that this year’s program’s high quality programming, has built a bridge for young and mid-career American experts and scholars to gain a genuine understanding of China, and is expected to promote long-term cooperation and exchange among delegation members and participating institutions.
Remarks by Adam Webb, American Co-Director of the Hopkins Nanjing Center
President Chen Dongxiao remarked that this year’s program had a packed schedule, during which the delegation conducted intensive visits to multiple technology-driven enterprises and research institutions, increasing their understanding of the powerful role technological innovation plays in driving China’s transformation. He noted that think tanks, including SIIS, are committed to providing professional policy recommendations to help the government advance reforms in a more stable and effective manner. He encouraged the delegation members to share their reflections and suggestions regarding the Shanghai Nanjing Plus 2025 activity series.
Remarks by Chen Dongxiao, President of SIIS
These reflections marked the successful conclusion of the week-long Shanghai-Nanjing Plus 2025 “Exploring Perspectives on U.S.–China Relations” activity series.
