To deepen exchanges and cooperation with countries represented by foreign consulates in Guangzhou and comprehensively promote Guangzhou's rail transit industry, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangzhou Municipal Government and Guangzhou Metro Group jointly hosted a specialized promotion conference for Guangzhou's rail transit industry on March 24. 

　　Centered around the theme of "Promoting Guangzhou's Rail Transit Industry," the conference brought together 54 officials from consulates general of 34 countries, including France, Vietnam, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uganda, as well as representatives from five foreign chambers of commerce and three foreign-funded enterprises, to discuss industry cooperation opportunities. The participating countries included both Belt and Road partner nations and major global economies as well as emerging market countries, showcasing the global appeal of Guangzhou's rail transit industry.

　　Vice Mayor Lai Zhihong of Guangzhou, Deputy Secretary-General Meng Hao of the Municipal Government, Deputy Director Liu Liu of the Foreign Affairs Office, Deputy Director Long Xiaoqiang of the Transport Bureau, representatives from the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, group leadership, senior management, and relevant responsible persons from units including the Design Institute attended the event. As the representative of Guangzhou Metro Group's planning and design business segment, the Design Institute participated in the promotion conference, showcasing impressive project achievements and technical capabilities to the representatives from various countries.

　　In his speech at the special promotion conference, Lai Zhihang pointed out that as the lifeblood of modern urban development, rail transit is not only a link connecting regions but also a bridge promoting economic and cultural exchanges. On this broad industrial track, Guangzhou has formed a complete rail transit industrial chain with a total scale exceeding 270 billion yuan, centered around the goal of building an advanced manufacturing cluster for rail transit. Within this open cooperation network, Guangzhou has attracted 94 industrial chain enterprises, nurtured 40 leading companies, and nearly 900 practicing enterprises, forming a development pattern of "one core, three zones, and multiple bases" with Baiyun District as the core. In this win-win industrial alliance, enterprises in Guangzhou's rail transit industrial chain have expanded multiple overseas projects, covering numerous countries and regions worldwide, providing one-stop solutions for global customers. Lai Zhihang stated that Guangzhou regards the rail transit industry as an important part of the "12218" modern industrial system, accelerating technological breakthroughs and global cooperation. He expressed the expectation to work hand in hand with global partners to jointly establish technical standards, explore overseas markets, and foster an innovation ecosystem, so that rail transit can better serve the progress of human development.

　　In his address, Liu Zhicheng, Party Committee Secretary and Chairman of the Group Company, stated that Guangzhou Metro has become recognized as one of the world's most advanced rail transit systems, boasting leading advantages in five key areas: First, it possesses 33 years of uninterrupted experience in rail transit construction, having built and opened 23 lines spanning over 1,000 kilometers, with a total investment of $118.3 billion. Second, it is the only metro company in China simultaneously constructing and operating "metro + intercity railway + tram systems," with extensive experience in coordinating the operations of multiple rail transit modes under a single operating entity. Third, its key operational safety and service indicators are among the best globally. Fourth, it oversees the industry's only national engineering research center led by a metro construction and operating enterprise, placing its technological R&D and application capabilities firmly in the top tier of China's rail transit sector. Fifth, it has successfully explored sustainable development models for rail transit, accumulating rich experience in TOD development and diversified operations.

　　Liu Zhicheng emphasized that Guangzhou Metro can provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions for urban rail transit systems worldwide, covering initial planning and design, mid-term engineering construction and consulting, and post-construction operation and maintenance. Specifically, it offers integrated planning and design services including network planning, civil engineering design, and electromechanical systems design; full-process engineering management consulting covering project management, civil engineering technology, electromechanical technology, and engineering risk assessment; and cross-regional operational support services for various rail transit modes such as metro, regional express rail, intercity railways, and trams, including integrated commissioning, equipment maintenance, operational management, and technical upgrades. He expressed hope for collaboration to provide quality services for rail transit planning, construction, and operation in various countries, building bridges for friendly cooperation and development.

　　As China's first rail transit design enterprise listed on the A-share market, the Design Institute offers comprehensive end-to-end solutions covering initial planning and design, mid-term engineering construction and consulting, and post-construction operation, maintenance, and energy-saving retrofits. During the thematic promotion session, Song Jiawen, Deputy Head of the Overseas Business Department, delivered a full English presentation that systematically outlined the Design Institute's 32-year development trajectory: starting with planning and consulting services rooted in Guangzhou, it gradually expanded into a diverse business matrix covering survey, design, and engineering procurement and construction (EPC). Its service scope has extended from rail transit to municipal engineering, architecture, and emerging sectors like engineering digitalization. Its market footprint has grown from serving over 50 cities in China to participating in rail transit projects across 20 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, demonstrating the company's innovative strength in the rail transit industry.

　　During the exhibition, representatives from countries including Australia, Colombia, Turkey, the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, Venezuela, Russia, Iraq, Ecuador, and Thailand visited the Design Institute's booth for exchanges. They showed strong interest in its rail transit planning, general design, BIM digital technology, and low-altitude drone inspection technology, engaging in business discussions. Many expressed intentions to recommend Guangzhou Metro and the Design Institute to their respective governments and enterprises, extending invitations for visits to facilitate project cooperation in rail transit between Guangzhou and their home countries.

　　Overseas market expansion is a major strategic direction for both the Group and the Design Institute. In the future, the Design Institute will actively implement the Group's "Going Global" development philosophy, continuously drive innovation and upgrading of the rail transit industry value chain, and contribute positively to the high-quality development of the industry.