The 2024 World Transport Convention (WTC2024) is set to take place from June 26-29 at the Qingdao World Expo City, as announced by the Qingdao Municipal Transport Bureau. The event will be jointly organized by six major Chinese transport societies, including the China Highway and Transportation Society (CHTS), the China Institute of Navigation (CIN), China Railway Society (CRS), the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA), China Society of Automotive Engineers (China-SAE), and the China Air Transport Association (CATA), with the support of the Qingdao Municipal People's Government, the Shandong Provincial Department of Transportation, as well as domestic and international transport research institutions, universities, and social organizations.
Themed "New Transportation in Change," this year's convention will comprise five main segments: the opening ceremony and keynote speeches, parallel forums, a science and technology expo, the release of scientific and technological achievements, in addition to other special activities. Over 180 parallel forums will be focused on critical and forward-looking issues in the transportation industry, showcasing the latest advancements and technologies worldwide. Simultaneously, the 2024 Science and Technology Expo will highlight the latest technologies and engineering examples in the transportation sector, with particular highlights on smart engineering, intelligent management, smart manufacturing, and new systems, equipment, materials, and solutions. Additionally, the convention will feature the release of influential think tank reports and the presentation of corporate innovations. WTC2024 will also host the final round and award ceremony of the 2024 World University Bridge Design Competition, among other special activities.
Hosting WTC2024 in Qingdao underscores the city's significant status as an international transportation hub and a pilot city for China's transportation development that boasts exceptional transport advantages including global maritime connectivity, rapidly developing aviation, extensive highway networks, upgraded rail systems, efficient urban transport, and robust logistics capabilities. As Qingdao accelerates its development into a modern international metropolis, WTC2024 provides a strategic opportunity to leverage its unique geographical advantages to foster connectivity between East and West and integrate land and sea routes. It is the goal of Qingdao as a national driving force or momentum of revolution and progress to strengthen its key industries, such as road and bridge construction, rail transit, shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing, and intelligent equipment through the attraction of leading global industry players in port shipping, logistics, consulting, and technological innovation by enhancing its comprehensive transportation and modern logistics sectors to create a "Qingdao model" for China's modernization and transportation development.
