On 2nd August 2025, a Seminar entitled ‘Coordinated Development of Corrosion Control Technology Innovation and Industrial Innovation’ took place in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. The seminar brought together more than one hundred representatives from academia and industry, both domestic and international, to discuss pathways for the high-quality development of the corrosion protection industry. Organised jointly by China International Science and Technology Promotion Association, Henan (Province) Academy of Sciences, and North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, the event also featured the strategic consultation meeting for the “Henan Province Anti-Corrosion New Materials Industry Development Strategy” project. The seminar adopted an innovative ‘enterprise-poses-the-question, research-provides-the-answer’s model, facilitating direct, solution-focused exchanges between over 70 corporate executives and chief engineers from leading enterprises and the research community.
Photo: Seminar Opening Ceremony on 2nd August in Zhengzhou, China.
A standout feature of the seminar was the involvement of Dr. Yunnan Gao, visiting President of the UK headquartered Institute of Corrosion (ICorr), who delivered a keynote technical presentation that reflected deep UK industry experience and international expertise.
Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao Giving His Keynote Speech
As ICorr President, Dr. Gao provided an introductory overview of ICorr, outlining the organisation’s mission, global reach, and its role in fostering international standards and best practices in corrosion science. Subsequently, in a technical keynote, he then shared valuable insights into how corrosion is managed in the UK oil and gas sector.
Dr. Gao’s presentation served as a rich learning platform for participants, especially students and academics, by illustrating how corrosion theory can be effectively translated into industry-level protection strategies. His discussion emphasised asset longevity, operational safety, and reliability in energy infrastructure.
During the seminar, Dr. Gao met with Professor Weihua Li, Academic Vice President of North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, and Chief Scientist at the Henan Academy of Sciences. He expressed his high regard for Professor Li’s team and their outstanding contributions to corrosion research and conveyed his keen interest in pursuing future opportunities for exchange and collaborations.
Dr. Yunnan Gao’s presence at the Zhengzhou Seminar reinforced ICorr’s active role in global corrosion research and application. Through his institutional introduction and the presented UK industry case study, he bridged theoretical corrosion science and industrial practice-enriching the conference’s mission of aligning technological innovation with industrial needs.
The event attracted significant attention from regional mainstream and industry media, with extensive coverage appearing in:
- China Industry News, Report Link (In Chinese)
- Henan (Province) Daily: Report Link (In Chinese)
- Henan (Province) Academy of Sciences, Report Link (In Chinese)
- Henan (Province) Science and Technology Online, Report Link (In Chinese)
- Jiaozuo (City) Daily, Report Link (In Chinese)
- Xinxiang (City) Daily, Report Link (In Chinese)
- Guangdong (Province) Anticorrosion Association, Report Link (In Chinese)
These reports have highlighted the seminar’s role in fostering technological innovation and industrial collaboration in corrosion control, noting the participation of prominent domestic and international experts, including ICorr President Dr. Yunnan Gao, whose contributions were recognised as a valuable addition to the conference’s international dimension.
Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao, Middle, Professor Weihua Li (3rd from Right), and Some Research Team Doctors at Henan Academy of Scie
