Nearly 60 consular officers and representatives from 32 consulates-general in Guangzhou visited the International Bio Island in Guangzhou on September 23.
The delegation first visited Guangzhou Phar. Holdings (GPC). Established in 1996, GPC is a leading enterprise in China's biomedical industrial chain, with operations spanning modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chemical and biological drugs, natural beverages, diagnostic medical devices, and more. The consular representatives expressed keen interest in the company's featured products and exhibits.
The delegation then visited ApicHope, an innovative pharmaceutical enterprise specializing in the research and development (R&D) and production of pediatric and chronic disease medications. It is also a leading enterprise in Guangzhou's biomedical and high-end medical device industrial chain.
The delegation subsequently visited South China Brain Control (Guangdong) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Founded in 2019, the company is a leading brain-computer AI enterprise with fully independent intellectual property rights. It holds 33 invention patents and 11 software copyrights in brain information decoding algorithms, key brain-computer interaction technologies and brain-computer interface application technologies.
Diego Hernan Boriosi, Argentine Consul General in Guangzhou, experienced the meditation-assistance technology and described it as "very amazing." He said that "I kept focusing as the score went higher and higher. That encouraged me to focus more and more. It is quite remarkable."
Following the tour, Boriosi spoke highly of Guangzhou's biomedical and pharmaceutical technology industries, remarking that the industry level is "quite state-of-the-art" and left a deep impression on him.
Regarding bilateral cooperation potential, he expressed confidence that China and Argentina share robust pharmaceutical foundations, R&D resources and laboratories, creating opportunities for closer collaboration.
During the tour, consular officials also took turns riding WeRide's autonomous shuttles on Bio Island, commending the vehicles for their smooth operation and performance.
During a working luncheon, the consular delegation attended a thematic presentation on Guangzhou's biomedical industry.
Guangzhou's biomedicine and health industrial cluster is the only strategic emerging industry cluster in Guangdong Province to be commended and incentivized by the State Council for three consecutive years (2018–2020), placing it among China's leading clusters in terms of scale, innovation platforms and the number of enterprises.
The city currently hosts over 6,500 biomedical enterprises, ranking third nationwide. These include 12 Fortune Global 500 companies such as GPC and AstraZeneca, 30 listed companies and over 1,000 high-tech enterprises like BeiGene and Akeso.
Kajtiti Wiwatwanont, Thai Consul General in Guangzhou, shared that he had visited Bio Island several times, and that each visit had provided new insights, particularly regarding advancements in biomedical innovation, medical breakthroughs and the entire food and pharmaceutical supply chain.
He stated that the well-curated itinerary was highly rewarding. He was particularly impressed by the brain-control technology, viewing it as a promising new frontier with excellent future prospects.
Kajtiti Wiwatwanont highly commended Guangzhou's development in medical and technological innovation, stating that the city holds vast cooperation potential for Thailand. He pledged to actively promote bilateral exchanges and strengthen cooperation in the biomedical industrial chain and innovation.
He further pointed out that cooperation between China and Thailand in biomedicine should extend beyond newly developed drugs and technologies to encompass traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Thai medicine, creating broad opportunities for future development.
Bassirou Dieng, Economic Consul of Senegal in Guangzhou, remarked, "I have discovered many things I couldn't imagine before. For example, experiencing the brain-controlled computer was entirely new to me, and it shows how humanity and AI are advancing together." He added that he is "very proud of Chinese scientists."
Yang Yong, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality, invited more enterprises, institutions and talents from around the world to invest, exchange and cooperate here. He reiterated that Guangzhou will remain committed to providing quality services and conveniences, jointly writing a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photos | Guo Chuhua
