From November 16 to 17, Tan Tieniu, Academician of the CAS and Secretary of CPC NJU Committee, visited Suzhou. Cao Lubao, Standing Member of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Secretary of CPC Suzhou Committee, warmly welcomed Tan. Also present at the meeting were  Tan Zhemin, Academician of the CAS, Executive Vice President of NJU and Director of NJU at Suzhou Management Committee, Suo Wenbin, Presidential Assistant and Vice Director of NJU at Suzhou Management Committee, Jin Jie, Standing Member of CPC Suzhou Committee and Director of Publicity Department, Pan Guoqiang, Standing Member and Secretary-general of CPC Suzhou Committee, Ji Jing, Vice-Mayor of Suzhou, and Mao Wei, Secretary of CPC Suzhou High-Tech Area Working Committee and CPC Huqiu District Committee. The two sides had in-depth exchanges concerning the strategic cooperation between the local government and NJU, and the construction of the new NJU campus at Suzhou.

Tan Tieniu said that the NJU Suzhou, which has been a strategic arrangement for the mutual benefits of the two parties, links NJU with Suzhou tightly. It has been earnestly hoped that NJU at Suzhou would provide vigorous supports for social and economic development in Suzhou through joint efforts between the two sides, focusing on the development of new disciplines in engineering, medicine, and humanities and on the producing of first-class research results and building a first-class human resource team. Since General-secretary Xi has encouraged the young scholars at NJU to further align themselves with the goal of serving the nation and the people, we should set NJU at Suzhou as a starting point for the scholars to contribute their wisdom and strength. Tan expressed high expectations for further cooperation with Suzhou on the range of disciplines, the construction of scientific research platforms, the quality of the talent team, the integration with local industries, and the communication mechanism.

Cao Lubao commended the overall planning and layout of NJU at Suzhou as it displays NJU’s strength. Cao declared that Suzhou has given top priority to the cooperation with NJU, trying hard to facilitate its development and talent cultivation. Located at the central area of Taihu Lake Science City, the new NJU campus is endowed with an affluence of resources for innovation and location advantages. Doubtlessly it will promote both NJU and Suzhou greatly. Cao emphasized that the local government will introduce further policies to boost the infrastructure construction and talent attraction as well as expand the cooperation with NJU. Links between the university’s advantageous disciplines and Suzhou’s competitive industries will contribute to higher-level win-win outcomes.

During his stay in Suzhou, Tan Tieniu visited the new NJU campus, China Mobile (Suzhou) Software Technology Co., Ltd, the State Key Laboratory in Suzhou, and Suzhou China Acoustics Valley. He also met with some NJU alumni.

At the new campus of NJU at Suzhou, Tan Tieniu learned about the latest development of the campus.

Tan sincerely complimented the staff of Management Committee of NJU at Suzhou. He said that we should not only facilitate the independence and development of advanced science and technology, but also unswervingly enhance cultural confidence and self-improvement. Tan urged everyone to remain dedicated to the construction of NJU at Suzhou and achieve even more. He stressed the importance of ensuring the pace and safety of the construction. Moreover, we should adhere to the people-centered principle and be ready to accept any useful suggestion from the faculty and staff, so as to construct a world-class campus, said he.

Tan Tieniu and his delegation felt honoured to be given the chance to visit China Mobile (Suzhou) Software Technology Co., Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile. Focusing on the research and development, construction, and operation of the mobile cloud, the company has provided practical training environment for students of China Mobile-NJU Joint Research Institute of Mobile Cloud. Wan Guoguang, Board Chairman and Secretary of the Company’s CPC Committee, introduced to Tan in detail the performance, network layout, practical applications of the mobile cloud and the joint research institute. Tan proposed that the two sides should promote cooperation and cultivate more talents for national high-tech industries.

In the State Key Laboratory at Suzhou, Xu Nanping, Academician of the CAS and Laboratory Director, introduced to Tan and his delegation the lab’s background, orientation, layout, and development direction. With a close attention to major materials science challenges and key technological issues, the Lab is committed to enhance national strategic science and technology strength. Xu showed his expectation that an all-round strategic cooperation will be reached between NJU and the Lab. Tan Tieniu promised that the lab will have the full backing of NJU as the two sides will share research facilities and resources. Tan hoped to pursue high-quality development of “education, science and technology, and human resources” with the State Key Laboratory at Suzhou, and thus contribute to realize the nation’s Second Centenary Goal.

Tan Tieniu met with representatives of the NJU Alumni Association at Suzhou. Tan listened carefully to the association’s working report and sincere suggestions for the future development of NJU at Suzhou. Tan complimented the association on the alumni’s loyalty to NJU’s development, and urged them to return and see how NJU, where they once studied and grew, has changed.

On November 17, Tan Tieniu and his delegation visited Suzhou China Acoustics Valley, accompanied by Qin Meng, Deputy Secretary of CPC Changshu Committee and Mayor of Changshu. Tan expected the cooperation between Changshu and NJU will be promoted and greater achievements constituted. Qin Meng pointed out that the Acoustics Valley’s achievements are inseparable from NJU’s full support. He was sure that the Changshu government will spare no efforts to construct an acoustic innovative industrial cluster and a national center for technology innovation.

Wu Qingwen, Deputy Secretary of CPC Suzhou Committee and Mayor of Suzhou, and Yu Yu, Secretary-general of Suzhou Municipal Government met with Tan and his delegation during his stay in Suzhou.

Translator: Liang Yu

Editors: Chen Xing, Shao Yihang