The 2024 World Power Battery Conference (WPBC 2024), themed "New Quality Power, Innovative Green Future", kicked off in Yibin on the morning of September 1. Wan Gang, Vice Chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), attended the opening ceremony and delivered an address. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Miao Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, was present at the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote report. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was invited as the guest of honor country for WPBC 2024. During the event, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE Ambassador to China, and Xiong Jijun, the Chinese Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, each offered their remarks. Shi Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, chaired the opening ceremony.
Wan Gang, on behalf of the CAST, offered his congratulations on the commencement of the conference. He noted that the Resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee explicitly calls for moving faster to advance new industrialization, promoting the growth and expansion of advanced manufacturing clusters, and making the manufacturing sector higher-end, smarter, and more eco-friendly. The power battery plays a pivotal role in the automotive industry's shift towards green, low-carbon, and sustainable development. To drive innovative development in the power battery industry, we need to intensify innovation at the cutting-edge technologies of the power battery sector, drive innovation in all-solid-state batteries with efforts stretching across the entire chain, from key materials to system integration, and bolster basic research on new system power batteries. It is crucial to accelerate the research and development (R&D) and application of smart battery technology, with a focus on developing a smart battery system integrating real-time perception, dynamic response, and autonomous decision-making capabilities, among other functions, so as to further meet a range of requirements for the sector, such as enhancing the safety and reliability of power batteries, improving their environmental adaptability, and expanding their functional diversity. It is essential to support the bidirectional integration and interaction between new energy vehicles (NEVs) and the power grid, accelerate efforts in the R&D and promotion of intelligent and orderly charging and discharging systems for NEVs, as well as the interactive technology systems integrating vehicles, charging piles, stations, and grids, and work to establish a sustainable business model. Efforts should be made to promote the green and low-carbon development of power batteries throughout their entire lifecycle, explore new models for the application of renewable energy in the industrial chain, improve the system for the cascaded utilization of retired batteries, and focus on enhancing the comprehensive utilization level of battery resources. It is necessary to initiate high-level international cooperation in the field of power batteries to promote global synergy in the power battery industry, aiming to achieve green, low-carbon, and sustainable development. It is hoped that experts, scholars, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in the global power battery field will collaborate to jointly explore cutting-edge new technologies in power batteries, refine the new ecosystem for the development of the power battery industry, research new pathways for green and low-carbon development in this sector, and establish an open, inclusive, and sustainable global industrial and supply chain, thus making greater contributions to expediting the full marketization of NEVs.
Wang Xiaohui, on behalf of the provincial Party committee and the provincial government, welcomed the distinguished guests and friends attending the gathering and conveyed appreciation to those who have consistently supported and concerned for Sichuan's development. He noted that in today's global context, a new wave of the energy revolution, marked by "electrification, intelligence, and sharing", is significantly altering the worldwide industrial map. Consequently, the burgeoning power battery industry has emerged at the peak of interest within its field, becoming a central point of competition and cooperation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has demonstrated deep insight into the momentum of development, initiating a range of foundational actions and devising long-term strategies. These efforts have advanced the power battery industry alongside NEVs and crystalline silicon photovoltaics, establishing them as China's globally acclaimed "new trio". The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee underscored the need to allocate innovation resources more effectively, boost institutional supply in new areas and arenas, and accelerate the planning and development of a new type of energy system. These instructions have delineated the direction and pathway for us to bolster independent innovation through more vigorous reform measures and to drive a green transformation in all aspects of social and economic development. In recent years, Sichuan has prioritized the development of the power battery industry, positioning itself as a leading region within China's power battery sector. Currently, the long-term positive fundamentals of the power battery industry remain unchanged, as does the overarching trend toward energy revolution and green development. It is expected that stakeholders concerned seize the moment and take the initiative, collectively lay out a batch of high-impact innovation platforms, invest in a variety of high-quality industrial projects, and develop diverse "electric+" application scenarios. Through deepened cooperation, we can work together to create a world-class power battery industry cluster. Sichuan will effectively optimize the supply and allocation of factor resources and provide a business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, assuring everyone of a confident investment climate, a peaceful business startup environment, and a comfortable living experience in Sichuan.
Miao Wei stated in his keynote report that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee not only outlined a grand blueprint for further deepening reform comprehensively but also infused immense momentum into the high-quality development of China's NEV industry. As a strategic emerging industry in China, the NEV sector represents the concentrated embodiment and main front of the new quality productive forces in the automotive industry. The power battery is known as the "heart" of NEVs. Its technological innovation and product performance are key factors in determining the high-quality development of NEVs. At present, global collaboration in the power battery sector is further deepening. The swift transition to electrification by automotive firms and the burgeoning growth of innovative energy storage solutions are creating expansive market prospects for the power battery industry. To achieve high-quality development in the power battery sector, we need to fully leverage China's market and institutional advantages, maintain strategic focus, persist in the research and innovation of both traditional liquid batteries and semi-solid batteries, and significantly increase investment in the research and industrialization of solid-state batteries. Active efforts should be undertaken to establish the necessary conditions for the prompt inclusion of automotive and power battery companies in the national carbon trading market, thereby harnessing market mechanisms to drive the green and low-carbon advancement of these enterprises. It is essential to place great emphasis on the quality and safety of power battery products, reinforce R&D and innovation efforts in safety technologies, elevate the safety standards of power battery systems, and more effectively satisfy market requirements.
In his address, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi highlighted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and China. Over the years, the UAE-China relationship has continually deepened and has been elevated to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. The UAE's participation in this conference aligns highly with his country's policies and leading role in supporting sustainable development and addressing the global challenge of climate change. Advanced battery manufacturing technology is a key component of sustainable energy solutions and is of great significance to the UAE, as the country is at the critical stage of its energy transition, Hammadi said. In this context, the UAE has invested substantial resources in the research and technological development of advanced power batteries. These efforts aim to enhance the performance, safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of batteries, which is crucial for the wider adoption of renewable energy solutions. He noted that the UAE considers China as an important partner in the transition toward sustainable and renewable energy. Through this conference, the UAE sees numerous opportunities for further cooperation and exchanges of professional expertise with China. These collaborations will undoubtedly benefit both countries greatly, contribute to progress and development, push innovation boundaries, create job opportunities, and promote sustainable development.
In his speech, Xiong Jijun stated that developing NEVs is a shared choice in the endeavor to advance the low-carbon transformation of the economy and society. As power batteries are the core component of NEVs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, he noted, will enhance support for technological breakthroughs, refine the standards and regulations system, improve industry management policies, deepen international exchanges and cooperation, and propel the high-quality development of the NEV and power battery industries. Yibin has become an important base for China's power battery industry. The WPBC, hosted consecutively for three years, has established an essential platform for all parties to exchange ideas, share experiences, and engage in cooperation. It is hoped that this platform will be fully utilized to deepen development consensus, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and actively contribute to the transition toward green and low-carbon development.
At around 10:40, Wan Gang, Wang Xiaohui, Miao Wei, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, and other guests jointly pressed the opening start button, signifying the commencement of the 2024 World Power Battery Conference.
During the opening ceremony of the conference, CATL Chairman Robin Zeng Yuqun, Changan Automobile Chairman Zhu Huayong, Chery Holding Group Chairman Yin Tongyue, and Huawei's Executive Director Yu Chengdong delivered keynote speeches, respectively. A signing ceremony for major projects in Sichuan Province involving new energy vehicles and power batteries (including energy storage) was held.
Before the opening ceremony, Wan Gang, Wang Xiaohui, Miao Wei, Shi Xiaolin, and other attendees toured selected exhibit zones and booths at the 2024 World Power Battery Industry and Supply Chain Achievements Exhibition.
Provincial leaders Chen Wei, Li Wenqing, and Xie Shanghua, relevant leading officials from national ministries and commissions, officials from some foreign embassies and consulates in China, persons in charge from relevant provincial departments and some central units in Sichuan, representatives of academicians and well-known experts and scholars, representatives of industry associations and related industrial enterprises, and others attended the event.
