A delegation of 60 diplomatic envoys representing 37 countries gathered on June 2 in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, to explore China's high-tech evolution and advanced manufacturing, as part of a series of events themed "Set Sail for the 15th Five-Year Plan: China's Growth, World's Opportunity" (Guangdong).
During their tour, the envoys visited GAC AION and the Haixinsha Omni-Space Intelligent Experience Center, and witnessed firsthand the dynamic charm of "Guangdong-made" innovation, gaining deep insights into how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping daily life and global industries.
The tour offered the envoys an immersive experience of a future powered by green energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). At the automotive and robotics exhibitions, the pace of development left them with a profound impression.
Marcelo Suarez Salvia, Ambassador of the Republic of Argentina to China, expressed immense admiration for the city's tech landscape. "I am impressed by everything, particularly the progress you can see here in Guangzhou, which reflects China's enormous advances in technology," Salvia noted, adding that what they witnessed in robotics and automobile manufacturing was "really amazing." He emphasized that he foresees a much brighter and shared future for Argentina and China, particularly driven by collaborations through Guangdong Province.
For many diplomats, the visit was an eye-opening validation of Guangdong's reputation as a global manufacturing powerhouse. Reflecting on his first trip to the city, Selcuk Unal, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to China, mentioned that despite having read about Guangdong's great success story many times, seeing it with his own eyes was a truly unique experience. Having been in China for just seven months, Unal highlighted that the visit provided a perfect opportunity to focus on innovative technologies and witness the concrete achievements of Chinese modernization.
The sentiment of awe was shared by G. M. Ikomey, Second Counselor of the Embassy of Cameroon to China. After experiencing the effortless efficiency of the local smart mobility solutions, Ikomey highly recommended the technology, especially for the elderly or those with mobility challenges. "It (Guangdong) is a place to visit and to see that there's a lot of innovation going on," Ikomey remarked enthusiastically. "Especially in technology such as AI, Guangdong is poised for explosive growth in the years to come."
Beyond robots and intelligent electric vehicles, the envoys also felt a deep sense of connection with the local community, emphasizing that true innovation goes hand in hand with sustainability and human warmth. Koula Sophianou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to China, delivered an inspiring message to the hosts, stating, "The future is green, the future is sustainable, and the future belongs to you." She noted that despite the summer heat, the openness and hospitality of the people in Guangzhou made the entire delegation feel instantly at home.
Reporter: Guo Chuhua
Script: Guo Chuhua
Video: Guo Hongda
Poster: Guo Hongda
