On October 12, 2025, the Shanghai Nanjing Plus 2025 group of mid-career experts and scholars arrived at their second stop on the program – Hefei City in Anhui Province. Hefei is one of China’s most important sources of scientific innovation, representing superior innovation in clean energy cars, integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals, and other sectors. From October 12-13, the delegation visited a series of intelligent manufacturing firms and scientific research centers in Hefei, engaging in dialogue with experts in related fields.

Group Photo in Front of Anhui Museum

In the afternoon, the delegation first visited the Anhui Museum in Shushan District, where they admired a rich collection of Shang and Zhou Dynasty-era bronze tools, pottery, and other artifacts, and also had a face-to-face experience with the unique ancient architecture of Huizhou.

Tour of Anhui Museum

Afterwards, the delegation arrived at the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Operations Center within Hefei’s Luogang Park, which manages air traffic for Hefei Heyi Aviation Co., Ltd. Heyi Aviation – a joint venture between Hefei City and EHang Intelligent Technology Co. – is a company operating in commercialized urban aerial transportation. In March 2025, Heyi Aviation received its world-first Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for uncrewed passenger-carrying flights issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, making it the leader within the sector.

Observing a Flight Demonstration of the Pilotless Passenger-Carrying Aircraft

At the UAM Operations Center, the delegates observed a flight demonstration of the EH216-S pilotless passenger-carrying electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft. Delegates were able to enter and experience for themselves the aircraft outfitted with 16 rotor wings.

Boarding the Pilotless Passenger-Carrying Aircraft

Delegates engaged in a lively conversation with the Operations Center employees, learning about technological development, permitting, production and sales, passenger experiences, and other aspects regarding the state of pilotless passenger-carrying aircraft.

Speaking with an Operations Center Employee

On the evening of October 12, the delegation was invited to participate in “History Lights the Way, Peace Bridges the World” – a networking session commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Group Photo with Session Participants

Remarks were made separately by the Vice President of the Anhui People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (APAFFC) Nianbao Wang and the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC) Deputy American Co-Director John Urban. The networking session was hosted by Tianchan Wang, Research Assistant at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS). Over 40 mid-career professionals representing the political, business, and academic fields of Anhui attended the session and engaged in deep discussions with the Shanghai Nanjing Plus delegates.

Networking Session Venue

APAFFC Vice-President Nianbao Wang opened his remarks by giving a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. He then discussed Anhui’s strong innovative spirit, robust manufacturing industry, advantageous ecological resources, unique geographical advantages, deeply rich culture, as well as the long and storied history of friendly relations between Anhui and the United States across all fields. Vice-President Wang also expressed his wish for all to use this session as an opportunity to reflect on history and make practical actions to build a shared future.

APAFFC Vice-President Nianbao Wang Delivers Remarks

Representing HNC and SIIS, Deputy Director John Urban thanked the APAFFC for its strong support of the Shanghai Nanjing Plus program. He noted that Hefei is a leader in technological innovation, manufacturing, and other areas, but it is also a Chinese city that is easily overlooked by American professionals. By bringing a group of mid-career American professionals into Hefei, the Shanghai Nanjing Plus program has created a valuable opportunity for practical discussions that help to strengthen the ties between young leaders in the U.S. and China, and thus promote the healthy development of U.S.-China relations.

HNC Deputy American Co-Director John Urban Delivers Remarks

SIIS Research Assistant Tianchan Wang Hosts Networking Session

At the networking session, American and Chinese mid-career professionals engaged in frank and meaningful dialogue centered around their particular areas of expertise, relevant industry developments, U.S.-China relations, and other topics.

Chinese and American Representatives in Dialogue