China-Swiss AI forum held in push for more cooperation

Writer: Chen Xiaochun  | Editor: Stephanie Yang  | From:  | Updated: 2019-10-28

The China-Swiss Artificial Intelligence (AI) Symposium, co-organized by Swiss Business Hub China and CEC i-Valley, was held at CEC i-Valley in Huaqiangbei on Friday, gathering over 120 representatives from government departments, associations and tech companies.

“China is at the very top regarding digitalization, artificial intelligence, robotics, e-commerce or renewable energy technologies,” said Martin Bienz, consul general of Switzerland in Guangzhou.

“Nobody understands this better than the city of Shenzhen — our host city for today. Shenzhen is located in the heart of the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, one of the most vibrant mega city clusters in China. The innovation hub of Shenzhen is a pioneer in adopting the technologies of AI, big data, cloud computing, Internet-of-Things, smart transportation, etc.,” added Bienz.

According to Lin Xiaopeng, director of the General Office of the Shenzhen Artificial Intelligence Industry Association, the total number of AI enterprises in Shenzhen comes in at 658, ranking No. 2 in China only behind Beijing, while nearly 70 percent of these enterprises are concentrated on the application of AR/VR technologies, consumer terminals, smart homes, smart health care and unmanned driving.

“Switzerland, according to several worldwide rankings, is the global leader in innovation. Switzerland is also a world-leading hub for artificial intelligence as well as home to world-renowned universities and research institutes in the area of AI,” introduced Bienz.

Bienz said that the proximity to cutting-edge research is one important reason why renowned tech giants, such as Google, IBM and Microsoft, run their AI research there. The country also boasts the highest number of AI patents worldwide.

Therefore, the consul general believes that Switzerland is the ideal gateway for any innovative Chinese company willing to internationalize its business and develop its activities in Europe. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China, and Bienz is looking forward to developing closer cooperation between the two sides.

Bienz told the Shenzhen Daily that there are more than 150 Swiss companies in different industries in Guangdong, 25 of which are located in Shenzhen. Additionally, the chamber of commerce of Switzerland set up an office in Shenzhen two months ago in order to cater to the increasing needs of commercial activities.

“Over the next three years, the Swiss Business Hub at the Swiss Embassy in Beijing will promote Chinese greenfield investment in Switzerland, mainly focusing on AI, robotics and automation, among others. The goal is to foster innovation and R&D, and facilitate sustainable Chinese investment abroad,” Sonja Astfalck, chief investment officer of Swiss Business Hub at the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing, told the Shenzhen Daily.