From November 25 to 27, 2023, 2023 Wenchang International Aviation and Aerospace Forum with the theme of “Accelerating the Application of BRICS Satellite Data to Promote International Cooperation in Aviation and Aerospace Information” was successfully held in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. A delegation of twenty-two (22) representatives, including faculty and participants from the Centre, were invited to participate in the Forum, and actively expressed their opinions with experts and scholars from both the domestic and international space industry.
Lodhi Muhammad Kamran, Ph.D. Candidate of the Centre from Pakistan, gave a keynote presentation entitled “Unlocking Urban Futures: Harnessing Remote Sensing Big Data for Smart Urban Planning” in the main forum, sharing insights and exchanging views on the field of sustainable development in urban planning.
Representatives of the Centre also took part in the cultural and industrial research organized by the host. They visited places, such as Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Centre, International Space City Administration and Coconut Grand View Garden, for an in-depth experience of Wenchang’s space industry and local characteristic economy.
As one of the three major science and technology cities of “sea, land and air” in Hainan Free Trade Port, Wenchang has China’s only low-latitude coastal space launch base and is about to complete the construction of China’s first commercial space launch hub. This visit to Wenchang not only broadened the professional perspectives of the participants of the Centre from various countries, but also further enriched their understanding of China’s space industry, nurturing a strong affection for China. MASUM SYED MOHAMMAD, Ph.D. Candidate of the Centre from Bangladesh, expressed his excitement after the return trip:
The activities of the Forum were well organized, and it was impressive that we had the opportunity to learn about the remarkable advances in space technology. We also got a chance to visit various space-related institutions, each of which showcased their activities in an exceptionally innovative manner. The highlight of the day, however, was the visit to the coconut park. For me, it marked the first time since my initial visit to China in 2013 that I had the opportunity to see and taste coconuts reminiscent of those from my homeland, Bangladesh. What started as a simple tour turned into a delightful mini-festival, an exploration of flavors and experiences.
