From November 4th to 8th, 2024, the U.S.-China Clean Tech Center (UCCTC), supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), organized a cleantech trade delegation comprising 15 companies to visit China. Representing a wide range of industries, the delegation included leaders in clean energy, microgrids, new energy vehicles, charging systems, water pollution treatment, recycling technologies, green building solutions, environmental nanomaterials, and more. This mission marked another remarkable achievement following the success of the 2023 cleantech trade mission.
Over the course of the week, the delegation engaged in productive and cordial meetings, as well as impactful business activities. The mission provided U.S. companies with invaluable opportunities for one-on-one business matchmaking and on-site visits across five major cities in China. Connecting with more than 500 leading Chinese enterprises, partners, and industry associations, the delegation established a solid foundation for future collaborations, fostering new opportunities between U.S. businesses and their Chinese counterparts.
DAY 1: November 4th / BEIJING
On November 4th, 2024, the U.S.-China Cleantech Cooperation Forum was successfully held in Beijing. The event was co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), and the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The forum was organized by the U.S.-China Clean Tech Center and the Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation (iCET). Senior representatives from China’s Ministry of Commerce’s Department of American and Oceanian Affairs and the Department of International Cooperation of the National Energy Administration delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Chinese government.
The morning sessions featured two sub-forums: Energy Transition and Green Finance & Climate Investment.
In the afternoon, the forum shifted to the U.S. Clean Technology Showcase, where companies from the U.S. Cleantech Trade Mission presented their innovations and solutions in the energy and environmental sectors. This session was followed by an active business networking and collaboration discussion. Nearly 180 representatives from Chinese enterprises, government agencies, and institutions engaged in in-depth exchanges with the U.S. delegation, exploring potential partnership opportunities. The forum provided a dynamic platform for fostering U.S.-China collaboration on clean energy, environmental innovation, and sustainable development.
DAY 2: November 5th / Jinan, Shandong
On November 5th, 2024, the Shandong-U.S. Cleantech Cooperation Conference was successfully held in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province. The event was co-hosted by the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce and the U.S.-China Clean Tech Center. Deputy Director General Wang Hong of the Shandong Department of Commerce delivered opening remarks on behalf of the provincial government.
The conference attracted more than 120 participants from over 80 Shandong enterprises, who engaged in productive business matchmaking and exchanges with companies from the U.S. Cleantech Delegation. This event provided an excellent platform for U.S. businesses to enter and expand their presence in the Shandong market, fostering valuable partnerships and driving future growth opportunities.
Following a networking luncheon, the U.S. delegation visited the Jinan Economic Development Zone in the afternoon. They toured several local renewable energy and environmental companies, gaining valuable insights into Shandong’s advancements in clean technology and exploring potential areas for collaboration.
DAY 3: November 6th / Suzhou, Jiangsu
The Suzhou-U.S. Cleantech and Carbon Neutrality Cooperation Conference, spearheaded by the Suzhou Municipal Development and Reform Commission and co-hosted by the Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation (iCET) and U.S.-China Clean Tech Center (UCCTC), was successfully held on the morning of November 6th in Suzhou. Representatives from the Suzhou Municipal Government and the Development and Reform Commission delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the local government.
More than 130 participants, including over 60 energy and environmental companies and investment institutions from Suzhou, engaged in business matchmaking activities with the U.S. Cleantech Trade Mission.
In the afternoon, the U.S. delegation visited Suzhou’s industrial parks and several local renewable energy companies to gain deeper insights into the region’s clean technology advancements. In the evening, Deputy Mayor Gu Haidong of Suzhou, along with other government representatives, hosted a formal banquet to welcome the U.S. Cleantech Delegation.
The events and activities on November 6th provided an excellent platform for U.S. companies to establish and expand their market presence in Suzhou, paving the way for promising collaborations and long-term growth opportunities.
DAY 4: November 7th / Shanghai
On November 7th, the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board and the U.S.-China Clean Tech Center (UCCTC) co-hosted the Shanghai-U.S. Cleantech and Carbon Neutrality Cooperation Summit as part of the China International Import Expo (CIIE). This event was an official component of the 2024 CIIE, China’s largest international trade and cooperation platform, and marked the second time UCCTC has organized a U.S. cleantech delegation for participation in the expo.
Xue Feng, President of the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board, and Everett Wakai, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, attended and delivered speeches at the summit. More than 90 representatives from government agencies, institutions, companies, and investment firms participated in the event.
During the summit, 15 companies from the U.S. trade mission presented their clean technology products and solutions. U.S. companies engaged in in-depth business discussions and networking with energy and environmental companies, as well as investment institutions from Shanghai and across China, fostering valuable connections and exploring promising opportunities for future collaboration.
DAY 5: November 8th / Guangzhou, Guangdong
On the morning of November 8th, the U.S. Cleantech Trade Mission visited the residence of the U.S. Consul General in Guangzhou to attend a welcome reception organized by the Consulate General. The delegation members engaged in warm interactions and discussions with the consulate’s staff.
2024 Guangdong-U.S. Cleantech Industry Matchmaking Conference
On the afternoon of November 8th, the trade mission actively participated in the 2024 Guangdong-U.S. Cleantech Industry Matchmaking Conference, co-hosted by the Guangdong Department of Commerce and the U.S.-China Clean Tech Center. This event was a key component of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Conference, held at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center.
The conference brought together over 180 representatives from enterprises, government agencies, and industry organizations across Guangdong province, facilitating in-depth matchmaking with U.S. companies. Zhu Xiaojun, Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Department of Commerce, and Andrew Edlefsen, Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, delivered engaging and insightful speeches on behalf of the Chinese and U.S. governments, highlighting the opportunities for collaboration in the clean technology sector.
This event marks the fifth time that the U.S.-China Clean Tech Center has organized a cleantech trade delegation visit to Guangdong, following previous visits in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. It also marks the fifth collaboration between UCCTC and the Guangdong Department of Commerce in hosting impactful cleantech industry matchmaking activities.
Following the matchmaking event, U.S. companies in the delegation were invited by the Guangdong government to attend the Greater Bay Area Conference and the Bay Area Night Gala Dinner. With this, the activities of the 2024 U.S. Cleantech Trade Mission to China came to a successful conclusion.