On August 28, 2026, the 2026 Chenghua AI Industry Collaboration Forum, themed “Connecting Intelligence, Co-Creating a Digital Future,” was held at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao’an).
Leveraging the platform and industry resources of the 2026 Shenzhen International General Artificial Intelligence Conference, the event explored opportunities arising from closer collaboration between the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Focusing on artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence robotics, the Forum brought together government representatives, academicians, experts, and technology companies to explore a new model of cross-regional collaboration built around “R&D and Innovation in Shenzhen + Intelligent Manufacturing in Chenghua.” The initiative aims to strengthen connections between innovation and industrial development, enabling closer integration across the innovation and industrial value chains.
Connecting Through Industry Platforms | Unlocking New Opportunities for Chengdu–Shenzhen Collaboration
As 2026 marks the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, the national “AI+” initiative is emerging as a major driver of industrial transformation. At the national level, China is advancing the implementation of its AI+ initiative. Sichuan Province has designated AI+ as its top innovation priority, while Chengdu is accelerating its efforts to establish itself as a leading national hub for the AI industry.
Shenzhen, one of China’s leading centers of AI innovation, is home to a strong concentration of technology companies and research capabilities in artificial intelligence and robotics. Meanwhile, Chenghua District benefits from a nationally recognized specialized industrial cluster for small and medium-sized intelligent robotics enterprises. The district is home to more than 140 companies across the industrial value chain, supported by a well-established supply chain, extensive industrial facilities, and a wide range of real-world application scenarios.
These strengths provide an ideal environment for transforming cutting-edge technologies into commercial products and scaling up manufacturing. With complementary resources and capabilities, Chengdu and Shenzhen are well positioned to build a stronger foundation for cross-regional industrial cooperation.
In the opening welcome address, representatives of Chenghua District highlighted the district’s role as a core development hub for Chengdu’s AI and robotics industries. With standardized industrial facilities supporting R&D, pilot production, and manufacturing, Chenghua also offers extensive real-world application opportunities in urban governance, industrial manufacturing, and smart cultural tourism.
They expressed their hope that the Forum would serve as a starting point for deeper industrial collaboration between Chengdu and Shenzhen, welcoming technology companies from the Greater Bay Area to explore opportunities and establish operations in Chenghua. Together, the two regions can work toward building a leading hub for intelligent robotics in western China.
At the event, the Chenghua Economic and Technological Development Zone delivered a dedicated presentation covering the district’s business environment, industrial opportunities, and available industrial facilities. It also introduced its full-chain enterprise service model, built around dedicated industry leaders, expert advisors, and specialized service teams.
The presentation extended an invitation to technology companies in Shenzhen to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in Chenghua. Many participating Shenzhen companies expressed strong interest in the western China market and held on-site discussions about potential locations, policy support, and access to real-world application scenarios.
Industry Experts and Technology Leaders | Exploring the Future of Embodied Intelligence
The Forum featured a series of keynote presentations bringing together an academician and technology leaders from innovative companies. Discussions covered key developments in embodied intelligence, Physical AI, industry-specific foundation models, and autonomous driving.
Fan Zhun, Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Engineering, delivered a presentation titled “Underlying Technologies for Embodied Intelligence and the Long-Term Development Path of Human-Robot Collaboration.” He provided an in-depth analysis of the foundational technology architecture behind embodied intelligence and explored the long-term development trajectory of human-robot collaboration.
Representatives from several innovative technology companies also shared their perspectives:
- Ling Zijian, Deputy General Manager of DexForce Technology Co., Ltd., discussed the development of the foundational infrastructure needed to advance the Physical AI industry.
- Xiao Kai, Founder of Guangdong Linxai Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., examined the key factors in bringing robots to commercial maturity, with a focus on data collection and product testing.
- Xie Jun, General Manager of Ecosystem Partnerships at Shenzhen Data Thinking Technology Co., Ltd., explored how industry-specific foundation models are reshaping the digital and intelligent industrial ecosystem.
- Quan Le, Marketing Director of City Light (Shenzhen) Driverless Co., Ltd., presented practical case studies demonstrating how AI can support smarter urban operations.
Following the presentations, participants took part in open networking and business-matching discussions. Government representatives and company executives held face-to-face meetings to explore opportunities in technology deployment, project investment, and industrial supply chain collaboration.
Participants broadly agreed that Chengdu-Chongqing and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area each have distinct strengths in artificial intelligence and robotics. Closer cross-regional cooperation offers significant potential to create mutual benefits by connecting technological innovation, manufacturing capacity, and market opportunities.
Strengthening Greater Bay Area Connections | Expanding the Intelligent Robotics Industry Cluster
The Forum established new channels for resource exchange and business connections between Chengdu and Shenzhen in artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence robotics. It helped companies from the Greater Bay Area gain a clearer understanding of Chenghua’s industrial strengths and development opportunities, while providing Chenghua with an effective platform to attract advanced technologies and high-quality projects.
Looking ahead, Chenghua will continue to strengthen connections with innovation resources across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, enhance project follow-up and investment support, and attract more high-quality projects and innovative teams in artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence robotics.
Through these efforts, Chenghua aims to further expand its nationally recognized intelligent robotics industry cluster and build momentum for the development of new quality productive forces through technological innovation.