The 5th “Belt and Road Initiative ”International Symposium on Sustainable Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Successfully Held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

From August 6th to 8th, 2025, the 5th “Belt and Road Initiative” International Symposium on Sustainable Refrigeration and Air Conditioning was successfully held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The symposium was jointly organized by the China Machinery Industry Federation, China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA), Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR), World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies (WSSET), Xi’an Polytechnic University, University of Hull, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It was hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-organized by the Evaporative Cooling Branch of CRAA.

The theme of this year’s symposium was “Green Innovation Along the Silk Road.” Its purpose was to address the climatic conditions and economic development characteristics of countries along the “Belt and Road Initiative”, driven by the dual-carbon goals, to foster innovation in high-efficiency refrigeration and air conditioning design and technology, thereby promoting the high-quality development of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in these countries. The symposium was chaired by Prof. Hongxing Yang of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof. Xudong Zhao, First-Class Professor at Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Prof. Xiang Huang of Xi’an Polytechnic University.

At the opening ceremony, addresses were delivered by Prof. Zhao Ruheng, Deputy President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Mau Shing KONG, Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Services Department; Mr. Guangyu Ma, Executive Secretary-General of CRAA; and Prof. Hongxing Yang, Chair of the symposium.

In his opening address, Executive Secretary-General Ma Guangyu emphasized that through the deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s refrigeration and air conditioning industry is becoming a key participant and leader in global ecological civilization efforts. He stated that the industry will continue to promote green and sustainable development, contributing to global environmental protection and green, low-carbon initiatives.

The symposium featured a main forum and multiple parallel sessions. During the closing ceremony, awards were presented, including the Academic Rising Star Award, Young Innovative Scholar Award, Young Scientist Pioneer Award, Outstanding Paper Award, and Outstanding Presentation Award. The event concluded in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.

It is worth noting that to address the new opportunities and challenges brought by the Belt and Road Initiative to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, the first Belt and Road Initiative International Symposium on Sustainable Refrigeration and Air Conditioning was successfully held in Xi’an in 2016. It was initiated by CRAA, CAR, WSSET, Prof. Xiang Huang of Xi’an Polytechnic University, and Prof. Xudong Zhao of the University of Hull. Subsequent editions were held in 2018, 2021, and 2023 at the University of Hull, Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Quanzhou, Fujian, respectively.

The successful hosting of this symposium marks the continuous progress, innovation, and development of refrigeration and air conditioning technologies under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is believed that, under this initiative, the evaporative cooling industry will continue to fulfill its mission and responsibilities, contributing to the development of the nation and the world.