2025 Gear Technology Conference Opens in Zhengzhou

On April 15, 2025, the Gear Technology Conference opened in Zhengzhou. The three-day conference was jointly hosted by the Gear and Electric Drive Branch of the China General Machinery Components Industry Association (CGMA), the National Gear Standardization Technical Committee (Gear Standardization Committee), and Zhengzhou Mechanical Research Institute Co., Ltd. of the China National Mechanical Industry Group Corporation (Chinese Mechanical Academy, Zhengji Institute). Over 500 industry experts, scholars, and corporate representatives from around the world gathered to discuss the latest trends and the future of gear technology. The conference was chaired by Wang Wei, the vice president and secretary-general of CGMA, as well as a member of the party committee, vice president, and general manager of Zhengji Institute (Zhengzhou) Transmission Technology Co., Ltd.

Among the attendees were Chen Xuedong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Han Xing, second-level inspector of the Equipment Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Sun Yongmin, member of the party group and vice director of the Henan Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, Wang Chengju, chairman of the China General Machinery Components Industry Association (CMCA), Li Aiguo, vice president of the China National Mechanical Industry Group and vice chairman of CMCA, Wu Changhong, president of CGMA, Karsten Stahl, director of the FZG Center at Munich University of Technology, convener of ISO/TC60/SC2/WG6 (Gear Strength Calculation), Li Dakai, honorary president of CGMA, Sun Lining, foreign academician of the Russian Academy of Engineering, Yao Qiulian, general manager of Zhengji Institute, Long Weimin, chief scientist of the China National Mechanical Industry Group, and chief engineer of Zhengji Institute, along with 11 international experts from Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. These experts participated in discussions with domestic industry experts.

Wu Changhong delivered the opening speech, warmly welcoming the experts present at the conference. He emphasized that gears, as the core and cornerstone of the equipment manufacturing industry, are undergoing unprecedented transformation and innovation. Facing the complex and ever-changing domestic and international situations, the gear industry must remain confident, strengthen cooperation, and work together to promote high-quality development in the sector.

Li Aiguo shared the significant progress made in China’s gear industry in terms of basic research, process innovation, and industrial application. He noted that China’s gear industry is gradually shifting from a “manufacturing powerhouse” to a “technology powerhouse.” He emphasized that China National Mechanical Industry Group will continue to play a crucial role in carrying out national strategic science and technology initiatives, providing solid support for promoting high-quality development in China’s manufacturing industry and achieving technological self-reliance. He called for global colleagues to bridge with technology and cooperate with collaboration to deepen international cooperation and continue to expand the global presence of China’s gear technology.

Wang Chengju addressed the conference, highlighting the challenges faced by the mechanical components industry, including changes in market demand, supply chain instability, and pressures for technological upgrades. He called on the industry to seize the strategic opportunities provided by national efforts to cultivate future industries, strengthen the integration of production, education, research, and application, increase investment in technology and basic research, and promote standardization efforts. CMCA will continue to strengthen international communication and cooperation, build technology transfer platforms, and help the industry overcome key technological challenges to achieve high-quality development. He urged the industry to seize trends toward intelligent, green development and drive industrial upgrades through technological innovation in the face of global competition.

Han Xing discussed the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s commitment to implement the decisions of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to advance the high-quality development of the basic components industry. He stressed the importance of top-level design, the industry base reconstruction project, and core component industry goals. He called for enhanced innovation capacity, with leading companies focused on overcoming key technological bottlenecks and boosting verification capabilities. The promotion of smart manufacturing will also be a priority, helping improve product consistency, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency through intelligent and digital solutions.

Sun Yongmin, in his address, welcomed both domestic and international guests to the ancient city of Zhengzhou. He noted that Henan Province, as a major industrial and manufacturing base in China, has always attached great importance to the high-quality development of equipment manufacturing. Henan aims to focus on high-end, intelligent, and green gear technologies to boost the local gear industry and enhance the sector’s technological and manufacturing levels. He emphasized Henan's openness to development opportunities and expressed hope that the conference would gather global wisdom and inject new momentum into global gear technology innovation.

During the academic exchange session, Chen Xuedong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered a keynote speech titled "Intelligent Mobile Unmanned Equipment Technology and Applications." Karsten Stahl, director of the FZG Center at Munich University of Technology and convener of ISO/TC60/SC2/WG6, presented two reports on the history and latest progress of ISO/TC60/SC2/WG6 gear standardization, stressing the key role of international standards in global industrial chain collaboration. He also detailed FZG’s research history and achievements in the gear technology field. Russian Academy of Engineering foreign academician Sun Lining explored the integration of cutting-edge robotic technologies and gear transmissions. Johannes König, head of the R&D department at ZF Friedrichshafen AG, showcased gear development integrated into digital product ecosystems. Professor Gao Feng from Shanghai Jiaotong University discussed new ideas for the development and application of intelligent robotics. Furthermore, domestic and international enterprise representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on flexible manufacturing, industrial mother machines, and low-altitude transmission technologies.

As one of the largest and most influential events in the Chinese gear industry, this conference not only served as a platform for academic exchange but also as a key venue for global industrial chain collaboration. During the conference, participants gained insights into the latest developments and future trends in gear technology and networked with industry elites and potential partners from around the world.

The 2025 Gear Technology Conference not only injected new energy into the industry but also highlighted China’s increasing influence in the global gear and electric drive sectors. Looking ahead, China’s gear industry is poised to embrace the world with an open posture, collaborating with international partners to shape new chapters in technological innovation and high-quality development. (Wen Zhuo/Written and Photographed)